TRUTH COMES TO LIGHT AND TRIUMPHS AT LAST.
By D. T. Bourdeau
ALTHO truth is of divine origin and brings more and more happiness to those who advance in its knowledge, reaping the advantages it offers, yet it is often antagonized, especially when it asks the abandonment of views which are, as it were, stereotyped by the force of habit and by long-established customs and practises. Those who are familiar with history will acknowledge that till now a large proportion of the great advancements in art, science, or religion have met with opposition raised, in certain cases, by prejudice,—a decision passed hastily and without ripe reflection,—in other cases, by selfish and sinister motives. It was prejudice that led certain persons to accuse Gutenberg of sorcery, when his first printed works appeared; but Gutenberg did succeed, and is now considered as one of the benefactors of humanity. It was prejudice that led individuals in high stations to condemn Galileo when he declared that the world turns. This illustrious man had a scientific truth at heart, which, tho opposed, could not be suppressed, but triumphed. It was prejudice which, in 1807, led a crowd of Americans on the shores of Hudson River to accuse of folly, Fulton, the inventor of steamboats, when he announced that he would cause a boat to go without sails, against wind, waves, and tide. Fulton succeeded, notwithstanding obstinate opposition and even mockeries which he met, and the injustice with which he was treated; and he gained his object because he had a truth at heart, which it was impossible to bind and suppress, and which the world needed. Influenced by prejudice, learned men and statesmen in France did, in 1833, direct terrible opposition against one of their countrymen who spoke of the construction of railroads in his country, on which cars would run by steam. Some said, “Where can a sufficient amount of iron be found to establish those lines?” Others said, “How can those heavy wagons be taken over mountains?” But the truth came to light, and the thing succeeded. What trouble and expenses prejudice brought upon the philanthropic Parmentier when he introduced the culture and use of potatoes in France! Frenchmen were afraid of this American3plant. They said: “Perhaps it is a poisonous plant. Our fathers lived without knowing and using this plant, and it is not necessary that we use it as food.” To succeed, Parmentier had to cultivate it himself. He went farther. He paid soldiers to keep his field of potatoes, that the passers-by might see that there was something precious. He cooked large quantities of potatoes, and then exposed them to the country people, that they might taste of some and take some with them as they passed by. And to-day Frenchmen are as fond of potatoes as are Americans. In all these cases, and in many others that could be mentioned, truth came to light and triumphed, in spite of prejudice and opposition. And this may be said of the truths embraced in the great religious movements of the past which God has approved. It was thus with the message proclaimed by Noah, with that of Moses, during the passage of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan, with that of David and of ancient prophets who came after that man of God to lead the children of Israel to reform and advance in the way of truth. The same thing is true of the message of John the Baptist and of that of the Son of God. These distinguished personages were put to death, but the truths they had proclaimed took a new impetus under the ministry of the apostles and of those who, with them, exalted the cause of Christ and the virtues of the Crucified. And Paul expressed a glorious truth when “suffering trouble as an evil-doer, even unto bonds,” for the sake of the Gospel. Though those who wanted to bind and suppress the truths he proclaimed, he said to Timothy a little before his martyrdom, “But the word of God is not bound.” 2 Tim. 2:9. As truth reveals God’s character, it is as impossible to annihilate it as it is to annihilate God Himself. The efforts put forth to suppress it cause its beauties and attractions to appear. The qualities of a good thing can be better seen when they are put in contrast with those of a bad one. The truths of salvation appear especially beautiful and attractive when they are compared with the principles that led the enemies of our Lord to put Him to death to hide and annihilate the truth. “We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” 2 Cor. 13:8. Those who oppose the truth hurt themselves. Like Paul before his conversion, they “kick against the pricks.” Acts 9:5. They do violence to their consciences, oppose the God of truth, and impeach His veracity and that of those who love and vindicate the truth. Take, for example, the truth that Jesus Christ is near when He is near. He then says, “Know that the Son of Man is near, even at the doors.” Matt. 24:33. French translation, “Surely I come quickly.” Rev. 22:20. Those who have seen certain signs of His coming respond, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh.” “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Matt. 25:6; Rev. 22:20. Others oppose this doctrine, saying, “My Lord delayeth His coming.” “Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” Matt. 24:48-51; 2 Peter 3:1-4. Is not this opposing God and those whom He approves, and impeaching their veracity? And are not those guilty of the same inconsistencies who would limit to Catholics and to the heathen the proclamation of the near coming of Christ and the needful preparation to meet Him? Are Catholics and the heathen the only ones who compose the nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples of our world? Our Lord comes to all, and all need to know that He is near when He is indeed near, and then to be invited to prepare for His coming. Why not then help the truth to have a free course, that we may triumph with it, and reap the advantages it grants to those who honor it? In case of indecision as to what is truth, carefully study the Word of truth. It would be wise in this regard to listen to the words of Gamaliel: “And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught; but if it be of God, ye can not overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” Acts 5:38, 39.