ONE of the noblest characters among the heathen of which history gives account is that of Socrates, called the “moral philosopher of Athens,” and “the parent of philosophy.” If he himself had been asked, “What are you?” he would probably have said, “Simply a child endeavoring to find and follow the light.”
HE was born in ancient Attica, B. C. 469. His father was a sculptor, and he himself doubtless followed the same trade, or profession. He served as a true and brave soldier, after the custom of the times, and at sixty was chosen a senator, where he stood alone in resisting the mad impulses and excited passions of the people.
The Prison of Socrates, Athens.
His philosophy was an inquiry after truth; its method was by questioning with the simplicity of a child. He believed that the chief good, the being’s end and aim, was happiness; but not that superficial happiness which comes by riches, honor, fame, power, or the gifts of fortune; but the happiness which comes from that well-being which springs from well-doing in obedience to the will of God. He believed in one supreme, overruling Power, and the lesser gods, which he admitted were held by him on a lower plane than by other heathen, in about the same way, some think, as angels are held by Christians. Of that we are not certain. At the age of seventy he was accused of corrupting the youth in turning them from the local gods of the nation, and by a small majority was condemned to die, which he did by drinking the poisoned hemlock. He was one of the noble army who died a witness to freedom of thought and the rights of conscience.
HE was not a perfect man. He held great errors, among them the immortality of the soul. He saw no other way, perhaps, by which God could perpetuate the life beyond. The effect of his teaching upon the Greeks was, on the whole, good; for it served to shake their confidence in their multitude of gods, and prepare them for the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. He believed that God guided him, and that He was just as willing to guide every other soul.
THERE are some reflections upon the career and teaching of this great man which may be of profit to us. The first is, that God has often outside of His church those who are truly His followers according to all the light they have. “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. For the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived thru the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.” Rom. 1:19, 20. “For when Gentiles which have no [written] law do by nature the things of the law, these, having no law, are a law unto themselves; in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them.” Ch. 2:14, 15.2
SOCRATES seemed to be one of those who had the work of the law written in their heart. He was not perfect in conduct; but it is not perfection of act, which might demand infinite knowledge, and which no finite being could measure, that God requires, but perfection of heart, motive, submission to His will. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” 2 Chron. 16:9. We do not know as Socrates met this; it seems from many things in his life that he did. But we are not his judge. We are using him here as an illustration of how God works, and foolish man counterworks.
EVERY ray of the light of day comes from the sun. If but one ray pierces a darkened passage, and that ray be followed, it will lead to brighter light, till the one led by it stands flooded in light. Every ray of spiritual light comes from God thru the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ. It shines out from star and sun. It is reflected from plant and lake and tree and mountain. It pours out from the wonderful Word of God. It is revealed by His followers, who are likened to candlesticks and burning lights. If but one gleam of light come to the soul in darkness; if but one ray pierce the gloom of heathendom, and sin, and false philosophy, and that one ray be followed persistently, it will lead to God. Nay, more; God is in the light, and that light is “the light of life;” “the light which lighteth every man coming into the world.” John 1:9, R. V. If received, it connects the receiver with God,—will flood his whole soul, shine away the sin and darkness, and lead him home to the land of light. Even thus will God save heathen men, who receive God’s light, and let it shine thru them to others.
BUT man may live in a flood of Gospel light, and his soul be divided, imperfect, dark. He does not receive it all. He reads God’s Word. He is told of wondrous down-trodden truth. To receive it involves a cross; it would make him unpopular; and he refuses. His light begins to grow dim; or it may at once become darkness. One ray of light received is sufficient to save if it is received with all the heart, if it is allowed to dominate the life. One ray of light rejected by him who dwells in a flood of it, is sufficient to consign the soul to eternal darkness. The rays are many; the sun is one. He who rejects the ray, rejects in the ray, sooner or later, the sun. He who closes his heart to one truth, will sooner or later reject all. But he who has known naught but erroneous theory, yet who accepts the only one ray which shines upon him, will be glorified in that light of God, despite his errors; for the light reigned over the darkness.
THERE is a sad reflection comes in this connection, and that is that men having light turn from the great Master of all true philosophy—Christ Jesus—to follow a man, philosopher, far in advance of his nation tho he was; and sadder still, that they should look to his great error as light and truth, which he received thru generations of darkness from the father of lies, but against which is all the teachings of Jesus Christ. That error is the immortality of the soul. Its originator is shown in Gen. 3:4, which read in connection with 2:17. Jesus Christ came to give life thru righteousness, incorruptibility of character thru the power of His endless life over sin, immortality of the whole man thru His second coming and the resurrection. Those who receive Him receive life, while “he that believeth [‘obeyeth,’ R. V.] not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God [destruction] abideth on him.” John 3:36. Socrates taught good things, but he had no power to give his disciples. Jesus Christ taught the true way, and He will give the infinite power of God to every soul who needs it, to enable him to overcome. Those who prefer to seek for the immortality of man in the traditions of the past, or in the teachings of the greatest philosophers, instead of in the life, the power, and teachings of Jesus Christ, are as one who would choose as his final dwelling the catacombs of Rome, or the mouldy stone prison of Socrates in Athens, in preference to the mansions of light and glory prepared of Jesus Christ for all who know Him—not man, but God. “Fear God, and give glory to Him.”
