Generations [coming] after [late principal Louis Lynch] seem to be faced with a dilemma, despite all the technological advancements which they now have. Too many persons seem to stand for nothing but they want everything, and they want it now. The concept of hard work for some is just that: a concept. – Chief Justice Marston Gibson delivering the 19th Annual Louis A. Lynch Memorial Lecture at the Grande Salle of the Tom Adams Financial Centre on Monday night.
There are too many people among us who, sadly, do not know what they believe in. They have neither conviction nor persuasion; they are committed to nothing in particular – apart from instant self-gratification.
Such instability bothers Chief Justice Marston Gibson, as it should all reasonable minds.
And we share his lament that many a concept he would have been taught as a lad now appears under threat, or may have already ceased to exist among current younger generations.
This sad state – which rightfully ought to be an aberration – is everywhere.
Courtesy and respect – born of discipline – are lacking in the home, the workplace, and even the church. Discourtesy and disrespect thrive where the perpetrators have no convictions or beliefs that establish any wholesome pattern of life, or where their victims refuse to make a stand for the grounded ideals they believe in.
We must not only know what the foundation of our belief system is; we must be committed to it, and be persuaded strongly enough to make a stand, and let it be known where the fault lies and what the solution is.
In this regard we laud the Chief Justice.
His expressed fervour about inspiring others – adults sharing their positive experiences with their children and other young people – should not go unnoticed or unpractised. Clearly, Mr Gibson believes, is persuaded, that the loss that so possesses some of our young can be reversed.
He advises quite correctly that we must “never stop letting our modern children know that long before they came along, there was an institution, which along with religion, formed the foundation of [our] belief system”.
“Insist on discipline as the best trainer of the mind,” the Chief Justice has urged. “Insist on honesty.”
Where and how we stand can set the course of our lives and of our offspring.
With apologies to the Apostle Paul, we exhort and encourage all to hold fast the pattern of sound words which we have heard from the Chief Justice, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus”. (2 Timothy 1:13 NKJV)
No matter what happens in life, we need to have convictions about our faith, our work, our marriages, our schools, and our very churches. Let us become people of strong conviction, standing firm when tough times come, of tougher decision when it is warranted – examples for our children.
For as the philosopher Alexander Hamilton has suggested, those who stand for nothing will fall for anything.
