Changing Opinions and Sacrificing Principle.
By George C. Tenney
THE two actions mentioned above are entirely distinct, and do not necessarily accompany each other at all times, though frequently they are considered as one and the same. Principles rather than opinions form the foundation and frame-work of character. One may change his mind without altering his character, or sacrificing a principle; but a change in principle involves both. An individual may change his mind and maintain the same attitude toward God and man as before; but when a principle is discarded or one is adopted, the character is modified and the person changes his position as a moral and responsible being. By the confusion of these ideas people are often placed in a wrong light. Vacillation is regarded as a sign of weakness. But there is a difference between the motion of a pendulum and that of a man walking. One is vacillation and the other is progress. To vibrate between two positions betrays weakness; while to take advance steps in knowledge and duty is a vital process of Christian life, which does not involve a change of principle. Those to whom steps of advancement are revealed may advance without detriment to their character. Those who find that they are on the wrong side of a question may get right without sacrificing their good resolutions; they must get right or abandon those resolutions. To refuse to accept light is not, as many fondly imagine, to show firmness of character; but it is selfish bigotry, which, were it universally carried out, would forever bar the progress of reform and improvement. To illustrate: People who see the light of the Third Angel's Message and embrace it are apt to be termed "turn-coats," and there are those who fear that appellation. But how is it? Two persons start out taking the highest position which it is possible for man to choose, to live for the glory of God. They embrace the religion of Jesus, and adopt the Bible as their guide, and the Spirit of God as their counsel. One after another duties and crosses are presented and are taken up. Wherever they find that they are not in harmony with the will of the Lord as expressed in his word, they quickly conform to it. They have proved their fidelity by years of experience, until their attention is called to the fact that God says, "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work." They search the Scriptures and inquire diligently, but find no divine authority for the observance of any other day. Their practices are at variance with the plain word of God. One says, I have been mistaken in my observance of the first day of the week and will now hasten to keep all of God's commandments according to the resolution I formed at the beginning of my Christian experience. Henceforth he observes the seventh day. The other says, I will not be blown about by every wind of doctrine. I have been blest in my church and will not now turn from it and deny myself of its privileges and embrace an unpopular cause. It is true the Bible tells me I am wrong, but the change will require much sacrifice, and after all it cannot make much difference if I am only sincere. This position is directly against his former good resolution, and is a repudiation of it. Who, then, has undergone the most remarkable change? One has changed his mind and practices in order to sustain a noble principle; and the other has sacrificed a most important principle to maintain an opinion which the word of God does not uphold. The former retains his position as a disciple, a learner; the latter assumes to decide what is right for himself and descends from the high position which they at first occupied together.