“DISTRUST AND DISCOUNT NUMBERS.”
By W. N. G.
THE entry of the church into the politics of the country in behalf of certain “reform” measures, is a virtual submission of the question of the correctness of those doctrines to the decision of the majority. That this is true is evidenced by the fact that when the majority—or the law, which is supposed to represent the sentiment of the majority—is on the side of the church, that is always pleaded against those who do not coincide with the views in question, whatever they may be. For instance, the persecution of observers of the seventh-day Sabbath in various parts of this country is indorsed by the masses of those who adhere to the first day because of the “insignificant number” of the persecuted class. Touching this idea of majority righteousness, the following paragraph from the pen of Rev. Philip Graif, in the Pacific Coast Endeavorer, is to the point:— “Learn to distrust and discount numbers. To trust Heaven more than majorities is to be free, and happy, and powerful. One God made the universe; one man may successfully front the world, one mind see higher truth than a parliament of legislators or a congress of theologians.”” This thought is emphasized by the Scripture account of the persecution of Jesus Christ, under pretext of legal process. It will be remembered that the Jews (the church people of that day) pleaded the law in extenuation of their act. They said, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die.” The majority were against Christ,—not only the popular church, but the world and the government, being appealed to by the church, sustained it. Here is the statement, as included in a prayer of certain disciples:— “The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together.” Acts 4: 26, 27. Among the instructions given to Israel through Moses was this, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” Ex. 23: 2. And the counsel is good yet, whether the “multitude” be professedly the servants of God or ordinary gentiles. To be on the Lord’s side is of more importance than to be with the human majority. W. N. G.