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AFRAID TO LEARN

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 3, 1858

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 12, No. 3.

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AFRAID TO LEARN.

"It is related that Galileo, who invented the telescope, with which he observed the satellites of Jupiter, invited a man who was opposed to him, to look through it, that he might observe Jupiter's moons. The man positively refused, saying, 'If I should see them, how could I maintain my opinions which I have advanced against your philosophy?' This is the case with many. They will not hear truth for fear that the arguments which they have framed will be destroyed."
How often is this illustrated by the course many pursue in regard to the truth. If they do not say it in word they do in practice at least, that they will not investigate for fear they may be convinced of the truth of these things, and that they do not wish to be. And not unfrequently is this the open and avowed reason. A lady of this place not long since remarked to a sister of our church, "Why," says she "Mrs. ———, I do not want to examine your views; I do not want to become a Millerite." If these are not the words, they contain the substance of her remark. Christ speaks of certain ones who love darkness rather than light, and who will not come to the light lest their deeds should be reproved. Jno. iii, 19-20. Shall we apply it to these? The reader may judge.
In regard to the truth we only call for honest investigation. We care not whether a man takes up his Bible to prove that the seventh day is the Sabbath, or that the first day is, an examination of the Bible on the subject can but result in good. But mind, it is the Bible we wish him to take and not the mystified productions of the Edwardeses and Humphreys. Perhaps the quickest way to convince staunch advocates of Sunday-keeping of the error of their position is to induce them in some way to undertake a defense of it from an appeal to the Bible. It usually happens in such cases that they become satisfied of the untenableness of their ground, and bid it a voluntary farewell. Brother or sister, induce your neighbors or friends to look through the telescope, and not be afraid of what they may see there, and, we have no fears for the cause of truth.