What Is Right? by Congregationalist

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 30, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 29.

What Is Right?

By Congregationalist

IN view of the fact that so many persons in these days make light of faith in a personal God, and claim to "do the right because it is the right," without regard to any obligations to a divine being, it is worth while to examine their position a little. It is one of the characteristic features of modern materialism, and its plausibleness sometimes imposes upon those who in other matters show a good degree of common sense.

What is that which is called "right," and why is it right? The word right literally means that which is in accord with a given rule or law; that which is straight, in the sense of not varying from a fixed, direct line. But that rule or line is involved necessarily as the pattern. Some law, some standard there must be, in the very nature of the case, by which that which is called right may be tested so that its rightness may be made apparent. That which is morally right, therefore, is so because it conforms to some moral standard.

Here, then, we are thrown back upon the commands of God. The widest search and the keenest analysis never have revealed any other supreme moral standard than this. The Almighty Creator, Ruler, and Father, of us all, has bidden us forsake everything evil and follow everything good in order to please him. Common sense and conscience, if allowed to act naturally and freely, agree with revelation that God's relation to us gives him authority to direct our conduct, so that his commandments form the rule by which our actions ought to be governed. Our lives can be what they should be only as we obey him. We may think it is possible to do right merely because it is right, but reflection will soon convince us that there is no right except in being, and because of being, at one with his will.

Surely this is a blessed truth. To substitute a spiritual principle for a spiritual being, would be a pitiable mistake. We need the sympathy, love, and help which only a person, a friend, an actual father can give us; and, if we try faithfully to do his will, we soon learn that he is no mere abstraction, but as truly able and willing to afford us protection and aid as any visible earthly friend. His commands also are as wise and gentle as they are positive.