I Don't Believe It

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 13, 1866

I Don't Believe It.

When a messenger came to Gen. Grant, reporting that Hancock's line was broken in, demoralized, and beaten, and that the field was lost, he is said to have remarked, "I don't believe it." A less general would have been involved in the disaster, but Gen. Grant's words give us the key to success in this world. There is great virtue in incredulity. "I don't believe it" has saved a thousand defeats. "You must stop," says the timid merchant to his debtor. "I don't believe it," says the valiant tradesman; and goes on, and pays. "You can't get any further," says the sailor to Capt. Kane. "I don't believe it," replies the dauntless navigator, and fastens his bark to the pole. "You will die before you finish it," says the doubtful scribe to the sinking, venerable Bede. "I don't believe it," answers the saint, immortal till his work is done; and dictates therewith the last chapter of the completed Scriptures. It comes down to us; and we see the tide of battle turned, in this conflict of the ages, by one stubborn chieftain, who does not believe in defeat. Does the Christian need to be assured of this great truth? It is cardinal in his creed. Faith in right, which is endless unbelief in wrong, is the soul of religion. "I believe in God, I believe not in the devil or any of his works:" this is his war-cry, and the watchword of his victory.