Effect of Taking a Decided Stand.
By R. F. Cottrell
“PERSONS openly committed to a truth are thereby much better fortified against apostasy, than those who, though they may be favorable to the truth, have never openly avowed their regard for it, or confessed their faith. “There are many persons who see truth, though not in its fullness, because they fear to commit themselves to its leadings till they have surveyed their surroundings, to see what effect will be likely to follow to them, from an open avowal of the truth. They look all around, on every side, to see how it will effect their influence, name, business, or standing in society, or church relation. By such a course, clouds obscure their vision, and they lose sight of the truth so far, that its charms fail to attract them; they left open a way to retreat before committing themselves, for fear they might find it too difficult to follow truth wheresoever it might lead. Such, therefore, may be expected to leave the truth to struggle on, by itself, till such times as it can make itself popular without their aid. If, however, a person commits himself openly to the truth at its first discovery, he is not in so much danger of forsaking it in time of trial, as one who is not thus committed; because the difficulties may be as great to go back as to struggle onward. Hence, the first step for security, to one who sees the truth, is openly to commit himself to it.” “Now is the time to make an open confession, and thus put up one barrier against apostasy when future trials arise. Who does not know how much easier it is to draw back on any doctrine, where no open acknowledgment has been made in its favor? Some persons always stand in this position of keeping the way open for a retreat when the battle rages too hot for them. ‘We never professed to believe it,’ say they, as they carefully hide themselves from the storm; while the thoroughly committed breast the howling tempest, and come out with an increase of confidence in God and in his truth. These have confessed Christ and his words, and he will confess and uphold them; while the others have undertaken to be their own keepers, and hence stumble and fall; they ‘loved the praise of men more than the praise of God;’ ‘verily they have their reward.’” The above extracts from the Bible Examiner, contain important truth which all the hesitating and wavering would do well to heed. When we learn the truth, no time should be lost in embracing it. Delay may prove a fatal mistake. It is dangerous, especially to delay obedience to a known duty. On the other hand, it is dangerous to plead for error. Striving to maintain a wrong position, only serves to confirm one in error. The more we seek for arguments in favor of error, the more we are inclined to believe it. And besides this, when we are publically committed in favor of a thing, it is hard for human nature to abandon it. For this reason, I would not ask a man to a public discussion, of whom I entertained a hope of his conversion to the truth. I always regret to see a man fight against his own convictions of truth. It is very dangerous; though some may have honesty of heart enough to abandon their position and embrace the truth. It is a fearful thing, however, to commit ourselves against the truth.