“If We Had Been in the Days of Our Fathers.”
By W. N. Glenn
WHAT a profound sense of self-satisfaction is produced in the minds of mankind generally, by the contemplation of the mistakes of others. A few learn the lessons designed by the inspired record of the past errors of our race, while the many either disregard the record entirely, or merely comment upon the folly of their ancestors and keep on doing the same things themselves—if not in very deed, at least in principle. It is easy to comprehend the evil effect of an unwise course after seeing the result, but not so easy to realize results yet in the future when brought face to face with a trial of faith. The Jews, prior to and during the sojourn of the Saviour on the earth, built tombs for the prophets whom their fathers had slain, and flattered themselves with the idea, “If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” Matt. 23: 29, 30. Yet at the same time they were filling up “the measure of their fathers,” and bringing upon themselves “all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias.” Verses 32–36. And from that day to this, each succeeding generation has sharply criticized the blunders of its predecessors, while men have continued to let slip golden opportunities because they knew not the things that belonged to their peace. Luke 19: 42. There are many professing godliness in our day who pride themselves upon their superior culture, advantages, and improvements, and boastfully draw comparisons with the past generations; are “heady” and “high-minded;” they censure the antediluvians, the Israelites, and all others who have made serious mistakes in the past. And they are apparently oblivious of the fact that we are on the eve of a crisis in the world’s history of more importance than any in the past. The very advantages of which they boast add to their obligation, and, if not improved, will rise in the Judgment against them. There is great reason for the men of this generation to beware lest a “sorer punishment” come upon them than upon those who lived in the past. While they may say, If we had lived before the flood, we would have believed Noah and been saved in the ark, they overlook the fact that “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” Luke 17: 26, 27. As in Noah’s time they rejected the Lord’s messenger, and knew not the day of their visitation, so men in the last days, with their boasted wisdom and superior endowments, will reject the message pertaining to their time.” Many now feel sure that had they been in the days of their fathers, they would not have crucified the Lord; yet they seem unconscious of the solemn denunciations against those who, having believed, shall crucify him again through apostasy. Heb. 6: 4–6; 10: 28–31. Why was he crucified? On account of our sins. 1 Pet. 2: 24; Gal. 3: 13. When we remember that “Sin is the transgression of the law,” 1 John 3: 4, we have the real cause of his death. Then if the transgression of the law led to his crucifixion, what else could “put him to an open shame” again? It is clear that many who profess to follow him now, and live in open rejection of his law, are virtually doing the same thing that they condemn in his ancient enemies. Popular Christianity looks back with horror upon the scenes of papal persecution in the “dark ages,” and even the votaries of the Roman Church disclaim the cruel deeds of their fathers, while there is a quite general clamor for a law of Congress to compel men now to worship God not according to his commandments, nor in harmony with their own consciences. This “Christian” demand is being made upon the politicians of the land with a zeal and menace that must soon bring compliance. Nor are these “Christians” ignorant of the hardship that such a law would work upon those who persist in keeping the commandments as God gave them himself; and their action in this matter plainly manifests the spirit of their ancestors whose actions they profess to deplore. And some of them even go so far as to boast of what they will do with a certain class of commandment-keepers when they get law on their side. “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” Rom. 2: 1. They that walk in the light do not judge their erring fathers, but they take warning by their example, and by close adherence to the law and the exercise of faith and charity, are kept from doing like deeds. There are examples of faithfulness in good works recorded in the Scriptures of truth for our benefit; if we follow these faithfully, performing the work given for our own time, there will be no danger of our doing over again the things which God has condemned in the past. W. N. GLENN.