UNRIGHTEOUS WARFARE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 14, 1869

UNRIGHTEOUS WARFARE.

WE recognize a distinction among those who oppose the cause of truth. Some do it in a manner that indicates a mistaken judgment, rather than a corrupt heart. But others do this in such a manner as to show that hatred toward that which is good, and pure, and true, is really the inspiring motive. When men lose sight of the courtesies, and even decencies of life, and make personal thrusts and bitter assaults upon the character of others, we are very certain that this is not by any means zeal for the Lord, but rather the outpouring of their own evil hearts. That kind of warfare that is prompted by envy, jealousy, or malice, is marked by bitterness of personal attack, and is not inspired from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish.

In some respects the warfare against Bro. and Sr. White is utterly inexplicable. Suppose that they are mistaken in believing that they are called to the work of preaching the third angel's message; does that constitute a crime that makes their good name the common property of the mocker and the scoffer? Suppose that they are mistaken in believing themselves called of God to reprove sin with an outspoken and unsparing plainness of speech; does this justify the fact that he that reproveth maketh himself a prey? If Sr. White is mistaken in believing herself called of God to bear a special testimony of reproof and warning to the people of God; is that a just reason for representing her as a hypocrite, a liar, a dishonest and base deceiver? Suppose that she is mistaken in her conviction of duty; does that make it proper and necessary to resort to bitter personalities in order to show that mistake? Does it even justify those that have been reproved by her, in rising up against her with weapons of this kind? Her reproofs are sometimes given with much severity, and at others with comparative mildness; but mingled with every reproof has been tender pity for the sinner, as well as stern condemnation of the sin. Why should such faithfulness, when it is so very rare among men, cause those who are its recipients to become angry with the reprover? This was the course of Ahab toward Elijah, but not that of David toward Nathan.

We cannot understand the bitterness which prompts the tongue of slander to assail with envious words the personal character and the private life of those who give faithful reproof for sins and wrongs. Rather, we must understand it to be specially inspired by the prince of darkness; and that the hearts of such persons are set on fire of hell. What justification can be offered for such a course? Is it asserted that the testimonies are leading men to perdition? Wherein do they sanction the violation of one precept of the Bible? Wherein do they make sin in any form to be a light thing? In what respect do they justify a single departure from God? Who ever read in them one word calculated to make the Bible appear of small account? Rather, who ever read from any pen more fervent and touching admonitions to man to read, to love, to meditate upon, and to obey every portion of the Holy Scriptures?

We deeply regret the unrighteous warfare that some of our fellow-men seem to feel called upon to wage in this matter. To hold up to reproach, and ridicule, and contempt, those who have the moral courage to bear unflinching testimony against sin, is but a poor return for the most invaluable of services. Bitter words are not arguments. Personalities are not reasons for or against Bible truths. It is not thus that we as a people can be led to discard spiritual gifts. We have too long understood their value and importance in guarding us against the secret workings of Satan. We have too long been acquainted with the lives of those that God has called to this great work. We must have some better reason for turning from them, than the unrighteous warfare of slanderous tongues.