Strangled: The Moral Strangling of Conscience
By D. H. Lamson
No death is more ignominious than that caused by strangling. Whether it be by the hangman’s rope, or the bowstring of the Turk, there is, to the enlightened mind, an accumulation of horrors attending it, well calculated to make one shudder. Yet, though the spinal cord be rent asunder, and the heart-strings broken in their vain effort to cling to life, the violent throbbings are at last succeeded by rest in unconsciousness. At the worst, the struggle is soon over, and death itself is a sweet release. There is a moral sense in which the word at the head of this article can properly be used; and, although no such definite physical results are produced, as in literal strangulation, yet the sensibilities are blunted, the moral force is abated, and the dearest rights of conscience are outraged, so that absolute ruin, for time and eternity, is often sure to follow. When this moral strangling is accomplished by enemies, it is cruel indeed; but when by the hands of professed friends, it is a thousand times embittered. In opposing truth, arguments will fail; and that system of faith or morals that depends for its establishment or perpetuation, in whole or in part, on innuendoes, invectives, or contumely, may well be questioned. It is a well-known fact, and deeply to be regretted, that most of the efforts against the “present truth” are of this character. Nothing more surely indicates the perverseness of the heart professing to be Christian, than this; and yet to that extent has opposition of this character raged that it is not only clearly apparent to men standing entirely outside of church organization, but honored members in them have been constrained to say that the clergy especially, and their people, to some extent, would rather souls would go to perdition with the weight of their sins upon them than to be saved, directly or indirectly, through the influence of Adventists. Epithets, varied in degree, and malevolent in character, have been freely applied by the leaders of the flock; and the followers have not been backward in taking the cue. “Ignoramus,” “lunatic,” and “fool,” are terms which men occupying the sacred desk have frequently used, forgetting how far the spirit that prompts such expressions falls short of the spirit of Christ. They are recommended to read the words of our Saviour in Matt. 5: 22, and carefully weigh their import. If the evil could stop with the words spoken, it would result in no great harm to others. But men of narrow minds take advantage of them, and a spirit of malignancy and rancor gets the better of their judgment. So far has this been carried, at times, that persons, for no greater fault than getting converted and having the whole current of their lives changed from a state of sin to that of holiness, have been proscribed, and actually driven from their homes. In other cases, the hand of tyranny has absolutely crushed out the better feelings of the heart, turning the brightest experience into the darkness of despair. Who is to blame? When God shall make inquisition for blood, in whose skirts, and upon whose hands, will it be found? Will it not be a fearful day for the shepherds and principal of the flock, when Jer. 25: 34–36, is fulfilled? The dear saints of God will not cease to remember that the prayer of Ps. 56: 8, will never be disregarded. He sees your tears; he hears your cries; and your wounded and lacerated hearts are not beneath his notice. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth?” Would that the days of the Scotch Covenanters could be remembered—the days of open-air preaching in forest and tent. Well were these efforts salted with the maledictions of the multitude, yet attended by the blessing of God. How can Methodists forget the vituperation and personal abuse heaped upon a Wesley? or the Baptists, the days of a Williams or a Bunyan? Alas! the rock from whence they were hewn, and the hole of the pit from whence they were digged, are all forgotten. If they still knew righteousness, it would not be. Isa. 51: 7. We will still plead with men to put away every sin, cast all their care upon Jesus, and cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Is it for this we are hated? Is it because we teach all men to regard the laws of life, to eat, drink, and dress, healthfully? Should we be chided if we constrain men, by every moral force, to yield up forever the intoxicating bowl, as well as the quid and pipe that are fast drying up the fountains of life? Again, is it an unholy work to persuade men to keep all the commandments of God, the fourth not excepted? If this is opposed, is there not some incongruity somewhere? Will not thinking men and women stop and ponder? Three individuals here in Armada, Mich., have given their views quite publicly on the15Sabbath question. Each has thrown an abundance of dust, but neither agrees with the other in argument. One is sure the Sabbath has been changed twice, another, that it has been changed but once, and for a different reason; the third, that the fourth commandment only requires a day of rest after six of labor, commencing to reckon from what day we please, so that seven men can each have the spirit of the command in their heart, yet each observe a different day. With such a view as this, it is folly to talk of a change. These must all be false witnesses, as they agree not among themselves. By such sophisms as these, some have been checked and blinded; for many who have heard all these arguments think each of them equally clear and satisfactory. How willingly, too, are some deceived, who are satisfied with such conflicting testimony. Is there not a screw loose somewhere? Search and see. The worst of all is, and I must not conclude this article without alluding to it, that some actually, in the sense above alluded to, commit suicide. By this very process, they strangle the truth with their own hands out of their own hearts. They confess with their lips, and evidently the heart feels its force, yet they live it not. A thousand snares are laid around them; a thousand pleasures allure them; darkness, like a pall, settles in their pathway; and they die, simply because they will not live. Oh! that faith might be nourished by the wavering; that new resolutions might be formed and kept by those whose vows have been broken; that courage might fill the breasts of the timid; and that the precious and sure mercies of God might cheer the desponding. The work of God is onward. Nothing can stay its progress. The hand of God is in it, and man cannot prevail. Already the world is girding itself for the conflict, and it will assuredly come. Victory, sweet victory, though dearly purchased (if the honors and emoluments of earth can be esteemed of value), will soon perch upon the banners of the people of God. Would that all could look upon such things as hinder in the way of overcoming as did the apostle Paul. Phil. 3: 8. Then the burdens that too often become a wearisome load, the sacrifices, so complainingly offered, each, in its turn, would be unflinchingly borne and cheerfully rendered, and the blandishments of the world, that seem dearer than life itself, would be gladly yielded for the hope of life. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Then let no earthly care
My best affections share,
Nor faith dispel.
Oh! yield this stubborn heart;
Its joys shall ne’er depart
If all be well.