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Defense of the Truth

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Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · May 27, 1852

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 3, No. 2.

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Defense of the Truth.

By Editor

It may be thought unnecessary, by some, to reply to those who write against the Holy Sabbath, and show up their weak and deceptive arguments; but we think such judge in this matter hastily.
It is true that for the last seven years there has been much strife and vain glory among professed advent believers, as they have been engaged in the discussion of subjects of no vital importance, and have left the scattered saints to starve for want of the bread of life, the "meat in due season," that would give life and strength to their faith. And many of the advent people have seen so much strife and bitterness in the advent papers, and with the "shepherds" and "principal of the flock," that they have become tired and disgusted with it. This is as might be expected. We wish, however, to say to such, that it has ever been the duty of God's servants to stand in defense of the truth, and it always will be their duty thus to do; but mark this, those called of God to defend his truth will ever possess and manifest the "Spirit of truth," the Comforter, given to guide into all truth. The truth of God, through which we are to be sanctified, is a unit, and those who have the Spirit of truth, and follow on in its channel, will be one, amen.
How preposterous the idea, that those who have the Spirit of truth, and are called of God to publish his word, will be divided, hating and devouring one another! The reason why many of the advent people are in such a state of perfect confusion, is because they reject the present truth, consequently, have not the Spirit of truth to guide them in its even channel, and are left to follow the promptings of the carnal mind, and cause the world to look on, and wonder, and exclaim, How these brethren hate one another! As an illustration of what we have stated we refer the reader to the "law-suit," the trial of J. V. Himes, in which the whole advent body is more or less interested.
But all this forms no good reason why those who have the truth should not stand in its defense. It is indispensably necessary—it is scriptural and right—that they should in a proper manner defend it. Said the apostle Paul, "I am set for the defense of the gospel."
"Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace." Phil. i, 7, 17.
"For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." Titus i, 10, 11.
We are exhorted by Jude to "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." We have also the example of the apostle Paul for defending the truth among those who will hear, until they become hardened and refuse to listen.
"And he [Paul] went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued for the space of two years." Acts xix, 9, 10.
Says the Apostle, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Rom. xii, 18. But it is not possible for the servant of God, who has the truth burning within him, to hold his peace when he sees that precious truth impiously trampled under foot. The Word justifies him in standing in its defense, God requires it of him, the Holy Ghost will help him.
Those who teach the plain doctrines of the Bible in this age of apostasy may expect a warfare; but they should ever bear it in mind that without Jesus we can do nothing. "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God." 2 Cor. x, 4, 5.