Satisfied without Evidence.
By A. S. Hutchins
Not long since, while in conversation with a young preacher, I asked, Have you ever examined our position on the Sabbath question? “Oh, yes!” was the ready reply, “and I am satisfied with the position I occupy.” Well, then, said I, will you please give us your scriptural evidences for the first-day Sabbath? Here he did not wish to argue the question. Neither do I, was my reply, but if you have examined this question, and are satisfied that you are right, you should have some testimony from the Bible to sustain you. Well, it was different from his education, and it agreed with his conscience to keep the first day. Here he plead for a length of time to collect his Bible evidences, which he has promised me. Not, however, till he had notified me that the New Testament is “full” of proof to the point. Dear reader, can it be that men who profess a call from Heaven to teach perishing souls the way of life, on a subject so important and practical as the law of God, must, when pressed for proof texts, fall back upon education and conscience, without one “thus saith the Lord”? “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,” &c. Why not then have it as the basis of our doctrine? Why not let it correct and instruct educational habits, and conscience, where they demand it, and then stand forth with the great principles of righteousness in our hearts, “thoroughly furnished unto all good works?” Oh! how much we need to heed the exhortation, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” 1 Pet. 3 : 15, 16. With the love and fear of God constantly in our hearts, our conscience may be “good,” it may be “pure.” Then it serves as a true friend. But let our object be to gratify self, and please men, and conscience will become “weak,” and “seared,” and “evil,” and “defiled,” and be a false guide. To this Paul bore testimony, when he said, “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to Jesus of Nazareth.” Acts 26 : 9. Oh! for a faith “That bears unmoved the world's dread frown,
Nor heeds its scorns.”