BEWARE OF PREJUDICE by D. T. Bourdeau

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 26, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 17.

BEWARE OF PREJUDICE.

By D. T. Bourdeau

BY ELDER D. T. BOURDEAU.

"PROVE all things; hold fast that which is good." 1 Thess. 5:21.

Prejudice is thus defined by Webster: "An opinion or decision of mind formed without due examination; a bias or leaning toward one side or the other of a question from other considerations than those belonging to it; an unreasonable predilection or prepossession for or against anything; especially, an opinion or learning adverse to anything, formed without proper grounds, or before suitable knowledge." Kindred to this definition is the following from Littre's French Dictionary: "It is a truth that cannot be too often repeated that prejudice is synonymous with a hasty judgment; and much time is lost by desiring to go too fast."

Pernicious and deplorable are the effects of prejudice, as appears from its present workings in society, and from the history of the past. Until now prejudice has been one of the greatest obstacles in the way of all progress, whether in the arts and sciences or in matters of religion. It was prejudice that led many to accuse Guttenburg of witchcraft when his first printed works appeared. It was prejudice that led persons of rank and influence to condemn the illustrious Galileo when he declared that the world turned. It was prejudice, in 1807, that induced Americans, on the banks of the Hudson, to accuse Fulton, the inventor of steamboats, of insanity when he announced that he would navigate against wind and tide.

Influenced by prejudice, the French Senate

in 1833 directed strong opposition against a Frenchman who spoke of constructing railroads in France. One objection urged was, "Where can a sufficient amount of iron be found to build such roads?" Others asked, "How can such heavy wagons be made to ascend the mountains?" What difficulties Parmentier, a celebrated French philanthropist, met in introducing the culture and use of the potato plant in France! The French were afraid of this American plant. They said: "Perhaps it is a poison. Our fathers have done without it, and so can we." To succeed, Parmentier cultivated the plant, and hired soldiers to watch his potato field, that the passers-by might be led to think that there was something precious, and to desire some of it. He went further; he caused some of the potatoes to be cooked and prepared with taste, and then exposed them to country people passing by, that they might taste of them on the sly. The scheme worked well. Prejudice was removed; and to-day the French appreciate potatoes as well as Americans.

Such are some of the pernicious effects of prejudice in things pertaining to physical life and to our present well-being; and a thousand times more pernicious are the effects of prejudice in those things on which depend our eternal well-being and happiness. One of the objects of the law of the Jewish people was to serve as a safeguard against prejudice. Said Nicodemus to those who wanted to kill Jesus, "Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?" John 7:51. These words did not have their desired effect. The envy, hatred, and prejudices of bloodthirsty men led them finally to carry out their infernal project.

Prejudice has been the cause of the martyrdom of millions of saints in past ages. Especially does prejudice work when religious movements are on foot and carried forward against the tide of pride and popularity.

Our Saviour came clothed with humility, and his testimony was not popular. It did not flatter the national pride of the Jews; therefore they prejudged with regard to him and put him out of their way. At one time he went to Nazareth, where he had led a humble life doing the work of a carpenter. The inhabitants of Nazareth were astonished at his knowledge, wisdom, and mighty works. Yet, giving way to prejudice, they exclaimed, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him." Mark 6:1-3.

There was a time when even the brethren of Jesus manifested this same weakness as the result of their prejudice. They saw Jesus confining his labors to Galilee, and hastily concluded that he was not the promised Messiah. It is written, "Neither did his brethren believe in him." John 7:5. They urged him to go into Judea, assigning as one of the reasons why they believed he should do so the fact that no man that does anything in secret seeks to be known openly. They claimed that if he was what he pretended to be, he would go into Judea and publish his doctrine, and added, "If thou do these things, show thyself to the world." Verse 4. They were prejudging, or speaking under the power of prejudice. They would not have spoken thus if they had duly weighed the fact that there were many in Judea who wanted to kill him, and that the time for him to die had not yet come. Verse 1.

Much precious truth which was lost sight of in the Dark Ages must be brought to light with present truth, truth that relates to the near coming of Christ; and the danger of the people now is to hastily pronounce themselves against important truths that apply to the inhabitants of the world at the present time. To guard against this danger, let us "prove all things, and hold fast that which is good." Like the noble Bereans, let us search the Scriptures daily to know whether these things are really so. Acts 17:11. Let us be reasonable, aim at having our views of religion as broad as the Bible, and, by all means, beware of prejudice.

Battle Creek, Mich.