A. P. LAWTON by A. P. Lawton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 22, 1874

A. P. LAWTON

By A. P. Lawton

Conservatism.

CONSERVATISM is defined, a desire for preserving whatever is established, a disinclination to change. Some are constitutionally conservative. They seem incapable of unlearning, or being retaught. They know what their fathers knew, and are content. To illustrate: I was at one time conversing with a man upon the Sabbath. He said his father kept Sunday, and he should. Fathers should be careful to do about right lest some of their sons may not have independence to think and read for themselves. Some are preoccupied and leave others to do their thinking upon nearly every subject. Those who love to be popular are not the ones to risk their popularity in co-operating with unpopular reforms. Others look upon it as a mark of fickleness. This may be true of some who are ready to jump at conclusions without investigation. No one should take a position without being able to give a reason.

Denominational prejudices with some are so strong that they are ready to fortify themselves against every aggression, as they are pleased to term it, and place themselves as sentinels, neither going in themselves nor suffering those who would to enter. Others fully persuaded of a truth lack moral courage to vindicate it. They hear the reviling from enemies. Always changing, say they. Many are accused of changing when they are only following in the opening of the prophecies, following the light and enjoying the accumulating rays, giving up no truth, but adding new. When our duty was plain in regard to temperance reform we added it to our list. When the light came on the question of slavery, our protest was ready, and equal rights were inscribed upon our banner. We let go no truth we possess, but add new. When we commence a study, we learn one thing at a time.

Our fathers had not the light on science or prophecies. Events come in order. The idea of the earth being round was ridiculed by the ancients, but who in the light of the nineteenth century would advocate the idea of its being flat? The laws of attraction were not understood, but who dares say now that an apple falls to the ground upon any other principle? That large bodies attract or draw smaller ones is an admitted fact. If our position is untrue, it can do us no harm. If true, we have nothing to fear from investigation. The truly wise and good of all ages have never feared or shunned investigation of any and every subject which interests the well-being of the world, present or future. Every advance step in arts, science, or religion, has met its opposition.

The prophecies, their opening and fulfilment, have met the same; and the wonder is that its strongest opposers are found among its professed friends. Paul did not shun controversy when any great truth was to be defended. Would such a man as the learned and eloquent Paul, who was caught up to the third Heaven and heard things which it was not lawful for a man to utter, would such a man flee? Let him answer. When advised of impending danger by his earnest, weeping friends, he said, “None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” He was ready to throw himself into the gap in defense of God’s truth, though it should cost him his life. He was no time-server. He fought not as one that beateth the air. He knew whereof he affirmed; yet he was accused of turning the world upside down by his strange doctrines. The more noble and honorable investigated, and as a result many believed. They found that those men who were accused of turning the world upside down were only preaching God’s word faithfully.