A Frank Confession by J. O. Corliss

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 5, 1875

A Frank Confession.

By J. O. Corliss

THE desk of a popular church was supplied yesterday by a man from abroad; and in the course of his remarks, he said, “I dare not try to enforce the doctrines of Christ and his apostles upon you; if I should, you would close your doors against me.” I believe the above confession was made in sincerity, incompatible as it may seem with the great commission of our Lord. There are many other ministers who might with equal truthfulness make the same admission, were their real sentiments spoken; but this is an age when “truth faileth, and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey;” and rather than stem the tide of popular opinion, there is a disposition to wheel into line, and keep step with the masses, until a position and an influence have been attained which it is hard to forfeit. Therefore, the truth is compromised to pander to the inordinate desires of the people, and to hold a place in their affections.

Notwithstanding the displeasure of God upon such a course, and perhaps the serious reflection of the guilty party at times, this course is persisted in until the Holy Spirit, as a reprover, ceases to make an impression in this direction. The reason for following such a line of conduct is given in the above frank acknowledgement. The people will not hear the truth! Is it true that we are living in the time spoken of by Paul, 2 Tim. 4: 3, 4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables”—which times he calls, in the previous chapter, the last days? It seems plain that this is so; and like the children of Israel, when God was compelled to cast them off for contempt of his word, they say to their teachers: “Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things,” for which God ordered it written in a book for the latter day (margin) that they were a rebellious people, and would not hear the law of the Lord. Isa. 30: 8, 9. Although this has been faithfully done, the people of the “latter day” have not sought instruction from it, but are in a similar position toward God. In view of the time to come when these features should characterize the people, the apostle says: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, . . . . Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Whether the masses will hear or forbear, the path of duty is plain, and when the Judgment shall reveal the cases of all men, each will then have his former work measured into his bosom.

J. O. CORLISS.

Gray, Maine, July 26.