p. 8 | THE MOTIVE WAS GOOD by Wm. C. Gage

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 11, 1866

THE MOTIVE WAS GOOD.

By Wm. C. Gage

How often do we hear this excuse given in palliation for some wrong act or injudicious step, and how frequently are glaring faults passed by unnoticed, or covered up by the plea that “he meant well.” The number of souls that are deceived into ruin by this fallacious excuse can be known only at the great day of accounts. It is to be feared that many who expect to reach the kingdom on the strength of good motives will hear the dread words, “I never knew you, depart from me, ye workers of iniquity!” It will then be manifest that works and not motives will be weighed in the balances of eternal truth.

Probably no class of people are more ready to urge this excuse, than the formal professors of the present day, especially in defense of their grab-bags, raffles, and other devices for money-catching, so painfully prominent at their so-called religious festivals and fairs. If rebuked for carrying on a lottery, they plead good motives: “The minister must be paid,” or, “we want a new organ,” &c., &c., thus answering the question of the apostle in the affirmative, and “do evil that good may come.”

But let us look at the matter, and see if even the motives exercised are good. Are the patrons of raffles and lotteries those who have the cause of God most at heart, and who are most willing to sacrifice and give their means freely for the advancement of Christianity? By no means. Indeed, it would be safe to say that not one in a hundred is actuated by noble impulses; so that however good may be the motives of those who originate such schemes, their real object and result is to encourage a desire on the part of their patrons to obtain more than a just equivalent for their money invested, or in other words, to foster a spirit of gambling.

But before we leave the subject let us bring it a little nearer home. Are not Sabbath-keepers in danger of yielding to this spirit so inherent in human nature, by trusting too much to good motives, and more especially to good intentions in regard to their duty. As we see how high the standard of truth and holiness is elevated, and how much is required of God’s people to attain to it, are we not inclined to be satisfied with merely intending to reach it, and come short of the necessary effort? Unquestionably this is true to some extent of the health-reform movement now being introduced among us as a people. Many are convinced of its importance, and yet are doing nothing toward improvement but intending.

Now if a reform in our habits of eating and drinking is necessary, it is so because our old practices are absolutely sinful, else there is no occasion for reform; and if this is the case, every day of continuance in those habits is simply persisting in sin, and more especially if enlightened upon the subject.

Perhaps some may object to the use of such strong terms, but it is certain that if we cannot indulge in stimulants and partake of unwholesome food “to the glory of God,” it is sin to do it at all. So brethren and sisters please don’t endorse the reform by your good intentions, but by your actions.

WM. C. GAGE.