The Tongue of Slander by P. A. Clough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 14, 1873

The Tongue of Slander.

By P. A. Clough

WHEN arguments, founded on false theories, fail to shake our confidence in the third angel's message, then the bigoted opposers to present truth resort to slander. Would not these professedly pious people do well to heed the advice of the learned Gamaliel? “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 cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” Acts 5:38, 39.

They cry, Away with the law; give us the gospel. We are walking in the footsteps of Jesus. But are they manifesting the spirit of the Master, while ridiculing others? Are they living out the principles he wished to inculcate, when he said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another;” John 13:34. Have they not forgotten that the great apostle to the Gentiles has said, “Now, if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his?” Rom. 8:9. It seems to me, they are not, with all their boasted piety, living up to the golden rule. But it matters not to us, if we are walking humbly before God. We remember that Jesus has said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matt. 5:11, and we are led to exclaim with the psalmist, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Ps. 27:1, 5. Our only fears should be, when persecution arises, lest it be for our faults.

May the Lord help us, who have accepted present truth, to live so humble, and let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in Heaven. Matt. 5:16. Oh! that we might get our hearts so imbued with the love of truth that we would be willing to sacrifice self upon the altar, and present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. Let us be in earnest. Eternal life is at stake, precious souls for whom Jesus died are perishing. The last message of mercy is being given, and soon will close. For “the great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord; the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.” Zeph. 1:14.

Then how important it is, that we use all our energies to win others to the truth. Let us be faithful. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Heb. 10:37. Then let us be ready to meet our soon-coming Lord. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. Eccl. 12:13.

P. A. CLOUGH.