The Victor by S. S. Times

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 29, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 41.

The Victor.

By S. S. Times

To BE silenced is not always to have the worst of an argument. When Hananiah, in the name of Jehovah, by eloquent speech and no less eloquent symbol, demonstrated that Jeremiah's prophecies were all wrong, we read that the prophet Jeremiah quietly "went his way," leaving his opponent to exult as a victor among the priests and the people who thronged the temple. A man who knew that he was on the Lord's side, and that he had spoken the truth of the Lord, could afford to do that. The bitter sequel showed whether Hananiah or Jeremiah was right. There are occasions when it is the part of a wise man to follow this precedent of Jeremiah. When one is in the midst of scoffers who have demonstrated to their own satisfaction that there is no God, that the Bible is a fiction, and that immortality is a dream, it is sometimes better, having once delivered one's testimony, quietly to go one's way, rather than to spend precious time in fruitless parlaying. What does it matter if the enemies of God's truth enjoy an occasional cheap triumph? The truth itself is sure beyond the reach of arguments however brilliant, of sneers however cutting, of gibes however witty. Knowing that, the Christian can afford to go upon his way, even though, for a time, it seems as if he were silenced, and to wait quietly for the time which will justify all truth and put to shame all falsehood.—S. S. Times.