FALSE SYMPATHY by Jos. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 21, 1868

FALSE SYMPATHY.

By Jos. Clarke

Of all the evils which afflict those who have the care and responsibility of others, in schools, families, churches, societies, and nations, none are more annoying and mischievous, than those which arise from false and misplaced sympathy.

Of the evil effects created by false sympathy, none but an unprejudiced, just, and experienced person, can have any adequate idea. Indeed, it is reserved for the eye of Omniscience alone to measure the length, breadth, and depth of this evil and its far-reaching influence. In the common affairs of life, this influence is so manifest as to call forth the strongest expressions of deprecation for that blind affection, which exerts all its influence in behalf of the reproved, but erring one, who is undergoing the pangs of correction for a wrong; or on the other hand, we admire that wise fortitude and self-control, which restrains the overflow of love, and does violence to an unwise manifestation of natural affection toward a favorite child, or associate, which would otherwise defend a moral wrong.

How often is the faithful teacher baffled by the parent, who should be his co-worker and friend. How often the father is baffled in his efforts to promote the order and propriety of his household, by sympathy at home. Or does the too indulgent father sometimes destroy the authority of the mother who is inclined to restrain the waywardness of the child? And here in our own once happy country, we see Southern rebellion upheld and nourished by Northern sympathy. And does it not sometimes happen that ring-leaders in crime walk forth as free citizens, because of misplaced sympathy? Why is it that Jefferson Davis is to-day at large, while his menial, Wirtz, of prison notoriety, fills a felon's grave? Is it not because of sympathy for fallen greatness and pride?

Why has Satan, in his fall, brought so many angels with him? Is it not because of mistaken sympathy? In every trial in church or State, offenders have some to sympathize and share their wrongs.

A little boy of some four or five years of age, the son of a sea captain, who had often been with his father upon the ocean, was one day racing upon the masts and rigging of the ship, with a monkey which also belonged upon the vessel. He finally reached the top-mast, and balanced himself upon the main truck. The Captain seeing his idolized child in this perilous situation, from which there seemed no way of escape, ran instantly to his cabin, seized his gun, and apparently with stern authority, commanded his boy to jump into the sea; at the same time with his gun threatening to shoot, unless his command was instantly obeyed. Only a moment elapsed, and his child was swimming in the sea, and half a dozen sailors were soon in the water to rescue their favorite. What if some sympathizing friend had interposed between the father and the child as it stood upon the main truck? How quickly it would have fallen upon the deck! No, every one saw that to oppose the father, would be death to the child, and all waited in breathless silence the event. So violent was the struggle, in the father's bosom, that he nearly fainted with agitation and fear; but his firmness saved his child.

Not less important is the case of every erring one who is corrected; and a word of sympathy, thrown in at such a time, between right and wrong, may prove the destruction of a soul, or of many souls.

Many a family, many a neighborhood, and society, and church, and nation, has been ruined by this cause; and this same false sympathy once jeopardized the happiness of Heaven, and consigned legions of once happy angels to dark despair. Let us then beware of sympathizing with wrong, be it ever so friendly and smooth. The principles advocated by this people are truth; let us beware of doubters.

Jos. CLARKE.