A Nation's True Glory

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 15, 1870

A Nation's True Glory.

THE wisest prince that ever sat upon a throne hath told us that “righteousness exalts a nation.” Prov. 14: 34. It is not valor in war, but righteousness; it is not policy in government, but righteousness; it is not wittiness of invention, but righteousness; it is not civility in behavior, but righteousness; it is not antiquity of forms, but righteousness; it is not largeness of dominion, but righteousness; and it is not greatness of command, but RIGHTEOUSNESS, that is the honor and the safety, that is the renown and security, of a nation. That nation that exalts righteousness, that nation shall be certainly exalted by righteousness. It is not Ahithophel's policy; it is not Jeroboam's calves in Dan and Bethel; it is not Jehu's pompous zeal; it is not Goliath's sword; it is not rich mines of gold and silver, nor magazines, nor armies, nor counsels, nor fleets, nor forts, but justice and righteousness, that exalt a nation, and that will make a mean people to become a great, a glorious, and a famous people in the world. The world is a ring, and righteousness is the diamond in that ring; the world is a body, and righteousness and justice are the soul of that body. Ah, England! England! so long as judgment runs down as waters in the midst of thee, and righteousness as a mighty stream, thou shalt not die, but live, and bear up bravely against all gainsayers and opposers.—T. Brooks. 1662.