Spare Not the Truth

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 5, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 22.

Spare Not the Truth.

No MAN has any right to make that which he believes to be the truth of God any less exacting, less sharp or clear, because he thinks his fellow-men will not accept it if he states it in its blankest and baldest form. I read an incident in a newspaper the other day that seems to me to illustrate this point. A tired and dusty traveler was leaning against a lamp-post in the city of Rochester, and he turned and looked around him and asked a boy, “How far is it to Farmington?” The boy answered, “Eight miles.” “Do you think it is so far as that?” said the poor, tired traveler. “Well, seeing that you are so tired, I will call it seven miles.” The boy, with his heart overflowing with kindness, pitied the exhausted traveler, and chose to call it seven miles. I know that I have seen statements of the truth that have dictated the same answer. Never make the road from Rochester to Farmington seven miles when you know it is eight. Do not do a wrong to truth out of regard for the feelings of those who have not the courage to obey it all.—Sel.