Stand up for Right by A. S. HUTCHINS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 6, 1870

Stand up for Right.

By A. S. HUTCHINS

“Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.” Why, then, should we ever yield our honor, sacrifice our principle, or succumb to wrong, to gain the favor or win the applause of the sinner?

Righteousness calls to right doing. It is defined, right doing, or in harmony with a divine law. This Heaven-born attribute, which always exalts, and never debases, calls its possessor to bear the cross daily. It often submits his principles to a test. Otherwise, where is our separation from the world? Where, our deadness to it; or the evidence that the Master hath chosen us out from the world?

In various ways are our principles submitted to a test. Suppose one were desired, in gratification of the wish of the whisky-lover, to set before him the intoxicating cup, in consideration of some favor received at his hand, and he, for want of moral courage to stand for the right, should consent so to do. Where is his honor? Where, that principle more valuable than gold by which he should have stood? Where, the light which he should have let shine? He has placed it under a bushel, has weakened his influence, wounded the cause of God, and laid it open to reproach from its enemies.

Temptingly he placed before a vitiated appetite and perverted taste, a cup of liquid death and poison which ruins both soul and body, and hastens the steps of thousands and millions on to death, eternal death!

Do we say that we see nothing very bad in this? Oh! may our eyes be opened to an understanding of our true position, as temperance men, as men of God. May we see that neither God, nor holy angels, nor men thoroughly enlightened on the subject of right, could or would approve of such a course.

And further, what if those whom we have thus unwisely gratified, should, when their sober judgment is appealed to, say, “I should have thought more of that man had he maintained his honor and stood by his principle.”

Where then is our integrity and honor? They are sold, sold far cheaper than Esau sold his birthright. How much better to stand up for the right, to let our holy, heavenly principles shine out like a bright and shining light. Says the Saviour, “Ye are the light of the world.” Reader,

“Dare to do right! Dare to be true! Keep the great judgment-seat always in view; Look at your work as you’ll look at it then, Scanned by Jehovah, and angels, and men.”

A. S. HUTCHINS.