p. 39 | From Liberty Center, Ohio by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 24, 1879

FROM LIBERTY CENTER, OHIO.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

In the Democratic Northwest of July 10, we find a good article from a leading man of Liberty Center, concerning our work. There are some important principles stated, which all should read. D. M. CANRIGHT.

The Seventh-day Adventists pitched their tent in our village a few weeks ago, since which time they have been delivering a series of discourses to those who have favored them with their presence. Unlike the common custom, they have asked no contributions from their audiences on any occasion, so that our people have no chance of charging them with being a lot of money grabbers, going from place to place, lining their pockets with the people's subsistence and hard earnings, and departing leaving no equivalent. On the contrary they pay their own expenses, and tarry with those who extend the courtesy to invite them to do so: and when they take their departure, we think our town will be financially, and we trust morally, benefited: for it is due to say (from the view of an outsider) that their conduct during their stay, both in and out of the church hours, has elicited many comments of praise from unbiased minds, who deem the cause which they are promulgating worthy of candid investigation from the different standpoints, rejecting no testimony that throws new light upon the merits and truth of the case, that the jury (the people) may arrive at the most intelligent and correct conclusions.

We ask, Who can expect to advance in truth and knowledge upon any subject, that only listen to one side of the case, and close their ears and shut their eyes to the other? What would be the universal verdict of our people if the jury in our court of Common Pleas should listen to one side of a case and retire to their room and make up their verdict, refusing to listen to further testimony. Do not some of our people see that they are standing exactly in this position, in refusing to listen, and apparently (to an outsider) using every effort at their command to prevent others from doing so, or bracing their minds by the most powerful exhortations to resist convictions forced upon them by listening to the different philosophical expoundings of Scripture.

If these Advent ministers are preaching an erroneous doctrine clearly contrary to Bible teaching, it would be a strengthening pillar to the other churches of our town to urge their members forward to listen, that they might see in the clearest light the falsity of their doctrine and the sandy foundation upon which they build their edifices. From our unbiased standpoint we can see no good reason why professed followers of Christ should exhibit that distant coldness almost amounting to persecution (in our view) toward these well behaved and quiet, but earnest people. Let all put on the garb of true Christianity and practice the golden rule, “doing unto your neighbor as ye would that your neighbor should do unto you.” The bitter clashings between professed followers of Jesus and his cause, exhibiting jealousy, spite, and malice toward each other, is a problem we have never been able to solve. It is truly beyond our conception that God should manifest his Holy Spirit and unadulterated love through his mediums in such mysterious ways, that to the ungodly look as though party spirit and selfish ambition had worked their way into the fold. . . . Let the truth come, hitting and demolishing error wherever it may fall. Truth is what the people want.

There can be but one truth upon any subject with which people have to deal; and this being a progressive age, we see day by day that the arts and sciences are constantly in a state of progress reached by philosophical and advancing minds; and why close our eyes, and shrink from the investigation of religious subjects? Let us throw off ancient superstitions, and investigate every side of all subjects, if we would become wise. TRUTH SEEKER.