Antipathy | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 23, 1866

Antipathy.

As some certain persons please us by a sort of sympathy, we know not why, so others displease us by a sort of antipathy, which we can give no account for. It is somewhat difficult entirely to conquer these aversions, because sometimes they proceed from nature and constitution; but we may prevent the outward appearance of it, by suppressing all contemptuous and reproachful language.

Antipathy thus governed, may be compared to a wild beast chained. As long as you keep it confined, it is not able to do any hurt; but if you once let it loose, it is incredible what mischief it will do to yourself and everybody else.

As long as you give no outward testimonies of your aversion, it will be attended with no ill consequence, provided you do not please yourself with such thoughts, but rather endeavor to suppress the irregular motions they may occasion. But if once you give way to your antipathy, by doing everything which that dictates, in a little time you will contract a great deal of guilt.

Therefore bear with patience whatever is shocking to you in other people, and neither by word or gesture discover the aversion and uneasiness that they give you, though it may be sometimes a complaint that might be justifiable. But this is a great instance of a strong virtue.

[Copied from a work on Devotion, by Robt. Nelson, of England, 1708, by J. Clarke.]