FINAL SUCCESS OF THE MINORITY.
By W. N. Glenn
The “majority” argument in determining right and wrong in controversy has become so strongly intrenched in the minds of the masses in this country, that it is well-nigh settled, popularly speaking, that minorities have no rights. It seems to be the opinion of many that even the Golden Rule applies only in favor of the majority. This thought is made prominent by Sunday-law exemptions of persons observing the seventh day. These exemption clauses invariably provide that Sunday work done by these people shall not be of such a nature as to disturb or interfere with the enjoyment of the day of rest by others. But there never is any thought of their being disturbed on the seventh day in their rest and worship. While the Sunday keeper is disturbed by a very trifling piece of work done on his rest day, he never once thinks of the disturbance of one who keeps the seventh day, although in general it is the busiest and noisiest day of the week. The leading Sunday-law organs will blandly assert that “Saturday keepers” are not in the least hindered in their rest or worship on the seventh day. But what makes the difference? O, the majority! Says one of these organs:— A small minority of the whole population who adopt views and practices so much at variance with the laws and customs of the country where they live must expect some inconveniences, even when those laws are modified to the full extent permissible by the rights of the masses of the people. Well, we do expect inconveniences, but we are sorry to see a great majority of people claiming to be followers of Christ selfishly claiming for themselves all the prerogatives and immunities merely because of their numerical strength. It does look sad to see a host of people so easily disturbed by the labor of a few humble commandment keepers, and then coolly assuming that the few have no rights that the many are bound to respect. Yes, we expect inconveniences, and the word of God exhorts us to “be patient in tribulation.” This we can well afford to do, for the Revelation shows us a happy throng who “came up out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb;” and we expect to be among them, for they are the same of whom it is said in another place: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” But we repeat it, we are sorry to see so many who are willing, in the name of Christianity, to add tribulation to the few who see duty and privilege in following in the footsteps of the Master,—keeping the same Sabbath that he kept, amid all its inconveniences, and observing all the ordinances instituted by him on the night before he was offered on the cross. Alas! for the professed followers of Christ who can not see more force in the Golden Rule than in a man-made sabbath law. To the point are the familiar lines of Cowper:— “I would not enter on my list of friends
(Though graced with polished manners and fine sense,
Yet wanting sensibility), the man
Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.” The true followers of Christ never have been the majority. They ever have been, ever will be in this world, the “little flock” to whom it is the “Father’s good pleasure” to give the kingdom. “Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt. 7: 13, 14.