Afraid to Come to the Light.
By A. Kilgore
A CIRCUMSTANCE which took place a short time ago shows how much afraid the advocates of error are of letting their works and doctrines be exposed to the searching light. The great enemy of all righteousness has many in his service. Wicked men, assisted by evil angels, are trying to cover up the clear, bright truth, and scatter dust over it so that people cannot see it. Some of his earthly emissaries are so very zealous in the cause that they overshoot the mark, and do more against the cause they are trying to upbuild than they do for it. A certain minister, wishing to quiet the consciences of some of his flock upon the Sabbath question, handed to different ones a small book advocating Sunday observance. He gave it to persons with the injunction not to let any one know they had it. In this manner it was sent from house to house for some time. However, it fell into the hands of some who were our friends, and the secret was soon divulged. My brother, on being assured that he could probably get the book, announced that he would review it at the tent. The next morning he went to the minister who owned the book and asked if he could have it. Said he, “If you want it for your own reading and instruction you can have it, but if you want to review it you can’t have it at all.” A copy was ordered, but failed to arrive in season. One more effort was then made to obtain the work from the minister. It was then three o’clock in the afternoon of the day upon which the book was to be reviewed. With some difficulty, a copy was obtained upon condition of reading it all through, and not a part, or parts. Although the reading of the book would consume more than one-half the entire evening, it was decided to obey the mandate and take less time for reviewing. The meeting was opened, and the reading of the book about to commence, when the minister came in. He asked my brother to tell the congregation upon what terms he had obtained the book. He was invited to state them himself if he wished, whereupon he said, “This book which these men have is mine, and they got it with this understanding, that they are to read it through without comment.” He was then asked if he intended that they should not answer the arguments. “I mean what I say,” said he; “you are to read it all, every bit, and then let the people judge for themselves. If they can’t understand the book, they can’t understand what you say.” The book was then offered to him; but he only replied, “You are afraid to read it, and let it stand on its own merits. I dare you to read it,” &c., which only disgusted those who heard him. Quite a number of those present wanted my brother to review the work in spite of the minister, but he thought it not best. A copy of the work was afterward procured and reviewed to general satisfaction. Thank the Lord, this truth is so mighty that any one whose heart is full of the love of it, and love to his fellow-men, cannot be easily thrown down or confounded. But if cut off in one direction, he can attack the enemy in another quarter, break down his walls of defense, and rear high over the ruins the ensign of everlasting truth.