p. 6 | The “Big Stick” by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 2, 1909

The “Big Stick”

By F. M. W.

The expression “big stick” has come to be a significant one of late, especially in American parlance. It is used to designate the methods employed by certain public men in enforcing their ideas, and particularly in their manner of silencing the opposition. They are commonly represented as carrying about with them a big stick, or club, to be used in beating their opponents into submission or acquiescence.

The use of “big stick” methods by politicians we shall not consider, but of the employment of such methods by Christians a word may be appropriate, since we must meet continually those who hold religious views radically different from our own.

In every realm of thought how natural it is for us to charge those of opposite opinions with being stubbornly wilful, or willingly blind, especially if there have been brought to their consideration the reasons which constitute the basis of our action, and which in our judgment should constitute a basis for similar action on their part. We are prone to forget that, as a rule, men naturally measure all questions by their own experience, and that what appears to us as the rankest error, may have been so instilled into the mind of the

possessor by birth, early teaching, and environment, as to have become a veritable second nature.

Such men can not see all things clearly at once. They must be patiently led step by step from error’s path. Little by little, as the light of truth breaks in upon the soul, their early beliefs will dissolve, and a new faith supplant the old. This was the work Jesus Christ did for his disciples. Steeped in Jewish tradition which was intermingled with heathen superstition, to the natural reasoning the disciples were unlikely subjects; but three and a half years of patient, painstaking labor may have loosened the shackles of old-time belief, transformed their lives into a new likeness, and made of them able ministers of the gospel of light and freedom to all the world.

So bound was Paul by his early education and childhood teaching that a miracle of divine revelation was necessary to enable him to begin to see. This done, he was sent to one of his more enlightened fellows for further instruction.

The world to-day contains hundreds of honest men and women, who differ from us in religious belief. They are serving God according to the best light they possess. Others, of course, are going contrary to what they know to be right. But we can not clearly distinguish between these classes. Hence, we are not to judge either class. If we see a head raised in opposition, we are not to stand prepared to hit it after the order of the fighting politician. Rather, we should seek to save. Possibly the opponent may be a second Saul of Tarsus, who, if enlightened, would become in God’s work to-day a great power, as was the famous apostle to the Gentiles.

God has children to-day in every church, Catholic and Protestant alike. We should be careful not to offend them by harsh words or by “big stick” methods. Let us deal with them gently, even if they manifest bitter opposition to what we count most sacred in our religious faith. We are not to cover up the truth, nor keep back one iota of the plain, positive message for this hour. We are not to lower the standard, or compromise principle. If we do this, we shall indeed be recreant to our trust. But let us proclaim the message in love.

We can not ridicule men out of error; we can not argue them into the kingdom. But we can win them by love, even the love of God which is shed abroad in our hearts, and manifests itself in all of our association with our fellow men.

Our controversy as Christians is not with men, but against sin, against evil principles. Sometimes the men who hold the principles we oppose may be better men than we, not because of the principles, but in spite of them, and because they have the more carefully applied the smaller amount of light they possess. This consideration should lead us to labor humbly and kindly, treating them as brethren in Christ, and not as strangers to his grace.

God has called us with a high and holy calling. He has made us the conservators of a great system of truth. This we are in duty bound to make known to all men. In God’s providence it has come to us not because we are better than our neighbors, but that we may act as instruments in bringing it to their attention. Let us use tact in the delicate mission entrusted to us. We may profitably leave to those of this world the employment of worldly diplomacy and “big stick” methods; but we may use the graces of the Spirit as manifested in love, meekness, gentleness, and Christian courtesy.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

F. M. W.