IT DIVIDES FAMILIES by Roswell F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 25, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 21.

“IT DIVIDES FAMILIES.”

By Roswell F. Cottrell

By very many, including professors of the religion of Jesus Christ, it is thought an all-sufficient objection against the truth, that it divides families and communities; as if it were better for all to be united in sin and go to perdition together than that a portion should obey the truth and be saved. The Lord thought otherwise. He gave his life that believers in him might be saved. He knew that the gospel would cause division, that some would accept it and be saved, while others would reject it and be lost; but still he judged it better that some should be saved, though others should be lost, and so he sent forth the truth of the gospel to purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works, “to take out of them a people for his name.” Said he, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division; for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.” Again, “A man’s foe shall be they of his own household.”

Now, if communities and families are divided and set at variance by the preaching of God’s word, where is the fault? The carnal mind charges it all upon the truth. It hates the truth, and thinks it a sufficient reason to reject and detest it because it divides kindred and friends.

If all would receive and obey the gospel, it would not cause division. The division and enmity and hatred is on the part of those who reject it. The blame lies at the door of those who oppose the truth, who will not receive it and be saved themselves, and think to forbid others from embracing it and to drag them down to death. My friends, the fault is not in the truth, nor in those who receive it, but in yourselves who will not receive it, but persecute those who do. R. F. COTTRELL.