“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Who is my Neighbor?
God says, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” He commands it, and love to Him requires obedience to His law. We should obey it, because our own safety and happiness, as well as our neighbor’s, are dependent upon its observance. But the question was asked ages ago, and is often repeated now, “Who is my neighbor?”
The Good Samaritan
A beautiful story is told, in answer to this very question:
“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, ‘Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again I will repay thee.’
Which now of these three was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?”
In this story, the national enemy of the wounded man proved himself the kind, loving, liberal friend, while the careless priest and the proud, rich Levite of his own kindred haughtily passed by on the other side.
Mankind a Brotherhood
God is our Father—our common Father. For He “hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.”
Mankind is a great brotherhood, differing slightly in form, feature, and color, but essentially the same in having like feelings, affections, duties, and desires. We are not taught in the Moral Law to love our friends, our family, our race, and our color alone; we are commanded to love all men.
It is easy to love those who love us, but it is difficult to obey that law which says, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”
We desire all men to respect our rights and feelings; we are clamorous for justice and fair play, but have no right to ask what we are unwilling to give. Rights and duties balance each other, and justice demands that we do not claim our rights until we are entirely willing to perform all our duties.
Love to our neighbor requires that we shall do nothing to endanger his life, restrict his liberty, offend his person, irritate his feelings, or disturb and destroy his property.
Equality of Natural Rights
The only equality that exists among men is the equality of natural rights. Men are unequal in size, physical strength, wealth, intelligence, mental power, and in many other respects, but these differences do not entitle them to put any restrictions upon the intelligence, property, or physical powers of others.
Because I am ignorant, my intelligent neighbor has no right to take advantage of me; because I am poor and needy, my wealthy neighbor has no right to defraud me; and because I am weak, my stronger neighbor has no right to beat and impose upon me.
God has given me certain powers of body and faculties of mind, and holds me responsible for their use; and it is my duty and right to make the most of them, provided that in using my own, I do not interfere with the equal rights of another.
It will easily be seen that this law of mutual kindness, universally adopted, would prevent quarrels, and take away every cause of dispute. The principle of pure morality requires that, instead of slighting the ignorant, defrauding the poor, and persecuting the weak, we shall, by our superior wisdom, strength, wealth, and opportunity, give aid and comfort to those who need our care.
Injuries and Wrongs
We learned in Chapter IV, that human actions are divided, with reference to their moral quality, into two classes—the good and the bad; the former being right, the latter wrong. Here then will arise the question, “In what does the right or wrong of an action consist?” The answer to this question will be best ascertained by considering the difference between an injury and a wrong.
Illustrations
First. Two boys climb a tree to procure fruit; one ventures upon a small limb, by the sudden bending of which he is thrown down, and, falling, breaks his leg. By this accident he receives an injury, but no blame is attached to any one, for no one is in fault. He has been injured but not wronged.
Second. Suppose the boys, in their anxiety, climb upon the same limb, when one accidentally jars the other, so that he falls and breaks his leg. Here an injury is done, but no wrong, since the boy was not designedly thrown down. He was injured but not wronged.
Third. Suppose that B recklessly disregards a warning not to climb onto a weak limb, causing A to fall and break his leg. Here is both a wrong and an injury, because the harm resulted from carelessness.
No one has a right to endanger another’s life or property by thoughtlessness or recklessness. It is no excuse to say, “I did not think,” for it is our duty to think, especially when others’ rights are involved.
Fourth. Suppose B, out of anger and envy, shakes the tree and causes A to fall. Here is a greater wrong, since the injury results from passion.
Fifth. Suppose B threatens A and deliberately shakes him from the tree when A refuses to give up his advantage. Here is an injury resulting from envy, anger, and malice.
Definitions
Injury may be defined as a harm or damage done to any one’s person, reputation, or property. It may be accidental or intentional.
Wrong (or injustice) is an injury resulting from evil intention, recklessness, or indifference.
We may inflict an injury without wrong; but we never can commit a wrong without injury to ourselves or to others.
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.”
CHAPTER QUESTIONS
- Is it wise to stop work every seventh day?
- What advantage have those communities that observe the sabbath?
- How should that day be observed?
- Is it for man’s good that he observe the day?
- Why did God prescribe its observance?
- What is the subject of Chapter VI?
- Repeat the text.
- What reasons are there for obeying this law?
- When was this question asked before?
- Who was neighbor to him that fell among thieves?
- What is the moral of the story of the good Samaritan?
- What is written in the Moral Law about the brotherhood of man?
- May we treat men unjustly because they are not of our color and race?
- What is the Golden Rule?
- If we should go to China or Africa, how would we like to be treated?
- Would we consider it satisfactory for others to abuse us because we are different?
- What is the only equality that exists among men?
- In what are men unequal?
- What would be the effect if the Golden Rule were observed by all?
- Human actions are divided into how many classes?
- Give the first illustration of injury and wrong.
- Give the second illustration.
- What is the distinction between them?
- Give the third illustration.
- Is any one excusable for negligence?
- Is it satisfactory to say, “I did not think”?
- What has God given us mind and conscience for?
- Give the fourth illustration.
- What is the difference between the third and fourth illustrations?
- Give the fifth illustration.
- What is the difference between the fourth and fifth illustrations?
- Define injury.
- How many kinds of injury are there?
- What is a wrong?
- What is the distinction between injury and wrong?
- Give the concluding text.
- May we do an injury without wrong?
- May we do a wrong without injury to ourselves or others?
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