MAKE IT RIGHT by Christian (Boston)

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 13, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 19.

"MAKE IT RIGHT."

By Christian (Boston)

THERE are many persons who are conscious of having wronged their fellow-men. They may dispute it, question it, or deny it; but they know it is true, nevertheless. The question then arises, What should be done? There are many who know the wrong, but will not admit it; there are others still who both know and admit the wrongdoing, but who take no steps toward repairing the mischief they have wrought, or undoing the wrong they have done.

Strictly speaking, the wrong act done can never be undone; the wrong word said cannot be unsaid; but no man who has been guilty of wrong should rest satisfied until he has done his utmost to make suitable reparation.

If he has wronged his neighbor pecuniarily, let him make restitution, not in scrimped and scanty measure, but liberally, heartily, and ungrudgingly. Let him restore fourfold. If he has said wrong things, let him promptly and openly recall them. Let his apologies be as distinct and hearty as his accusations have been. Let him, in a manly and Christian way, so far as in him lies, remove all occasion of grief or grievance. Let him see to it that the false impressions he has given be corrected, that the slanders which he has uttered be recalled. Thus, and thus only, can he win back the love he has forfeited, and hope to receive the blessing of the Lord, whom he has offended.

Thousands of Christians and churches are suffering through neglecting to take such stumbling-blocks out of the way. Men will do wrong, will injure or misrepresent a brother, and then, while he is grieved and stricken at heart, will endeavor to go right along as servants of God, without correcting their misstatements or confessing their wrongs. Such circumstances are frequently sufficient to account for the deadness and paralysis that often overhang the church. People are grieved and driven away from the communion of the saints and the fellowship of those they love, in consequence of the wrongdoing of leaders and managers, who do not confess their faults and rectify the wrongs which they have done. Often such persons seem to think it easier to send for a minister and "have a revival" than to confess their own faults and right the wrongs of which they are guilty. But a revival of religion, which comes in on top of old grudges, misrepresentations, dishonesties, and wrongs, will never be effectual. The high tide may float their craft for a little while; but when the flood recedes, every rock, and snag, and shoal that studs the channel will reappear, and the sailing will be no better than before.

A religion that is not founded upon righteousness is of very little use in this world, and the men who think that special services, protracted meetings, labors of evangelists, earnest prayers, and gospel hymns, will make amends for wrong, robbery, slander, and abuse, will probably find out their mistake before the day of Judgment comes, but if they do not, will certainly find it out then.