ALWAYS ON THE WRONG SIDE.
By Sarah A. H. Lindsay
On all subjects there is many times a disagreeable diversity of opinion; not because the truth is beyond reach, but because of the selfishness of the human heart in pursuit of present happiness and convenience. Hence there is, and always has been since the commencement of our probation, a sharp contest between truth and error. Truth leads in one direction. God is its author (John xvii), and Jesus Christ is its representative. John xiv, 6. Error is opposed to truth. Satan is its author. Gen. iii, 1, 4. It chooses no one path, but branches off in all directions, like the radii of a circle from one common center; and we find classes of professed followers of Jesus Christ turned back to back, pursuing opposite courses, facing all points of the compass, so to speak, all bound, they say, for the celestial city. It is the misfortune of some, through lack of discernment, or other graces of the Spirit, to be always on the side of error. If the truth has found, and, for a time, swayed, them by its convincing power and beauty, by-and-by they begin, more and still more heavily, to lean toward the other side. I have heard one repeat for the twentieth time, or thereabout, “Oh! it is a great thing to be a Christian—we ought to throw away our idols—time is short,” &c. Let us follow him out into the world, thence into his own dwelling. We discover no evidences of a reform. He is close and exacting in his deal, self-indulgent in his habits of eating and drinking—error, like the Papacy, grants indulgences. Solicit his name for the Systematic Benevolence book, he consents, perhaps, to put down six cents per week, though he values his property at several thousand dollars. Surely, God will, in due time, bring such to their figures. Another unfortunate class cannot, or will not, receive reproof; and more unfortunate still, the straight testimony always hits them. Said an esteemed brother of a place where he had expended much labor: “This has been the hardest place in which to preach that I have ever found, because I could not preach without hitting somebody.” The servant of God is required not only to preach the word, but to be instant in season and out of season; to reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Tim. iv, 2); but to see one ready to fly into pieces at the first word of reproof, like the highly-tempered steel under the first stroke of the hammer, is exceedingly discouraging to the preacher, and savors strongly of selfishness and self-deception, or hypocrisy. Says the apostle, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Cor. xiii, 5. And to make the work sure and thorough, the psalmist prays, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me.” Ps. cxxxix, 23, 24. And again, “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head; for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” Ps. cxli, 5. When the humble prophet Nathan reproved the great King David, first by his parable, then plainly telling him, “Thou art the man,” (2 Sam. xii), why do we not read of David’s pursuing a course similar to some professed Seventh-day Adventists, joining affinity with Nathan’s open enemies, and aiding them in the circulation of false reports, to injure or destroy his influence? Nathan was God’s instrument. David’s quick perception enabled him to understand the prophet’s ministry, and the rebuke proved an “excellent oil.” “David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.” Instead of seeking to conceal his wrong by trying to destroy the humble prophet, behold the mighty man bowed down to the earth, making his broken-hearted confession. Did our Heavenly Father require so much self-abasement and earnest supplication of David because he had violated his holy, just, good, and perfect law? And does he require any less of “sinners in Zion,” in this hour of his Judgment; those whose sympathies are always on the wrong side; on the side of error which is only a mild name for falsehood? those whose lives are a continual reproach upon the cause of God. There are those whose darkness so shines (if darkness can be imagined to shine) that others hearing their evil reports and seeing their wicked deeds are led to reject the truth, and to blaspheme our Heavenly Father’s name. Reprove these very individuals, kindly and tenderly as you may, they will be ready to exclaim, “God is my judge, he knows my heart, I must answer for myself, etc., etc. See Spiritual Gifts, Vol. II, page 125.” They forget the exhortation of the apostle Paul (Heb. xiii, 7, 8, 17), “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief.” The spirit of rebellion once waged a terrible warfare in Heaven, but Heaven was strong enough to cast it out, Rev. xii, 7–9, and is wise enough to keep it out, Rev. xxii, 15. The spirit that works through the children of disobedience need never hope to gain admission there. “Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Isa. iii, 11. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” Ex. xxxii, 33. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev. xx, 15.