PREJUDICE by Joseph Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 4, 1880

PREJUDICE.

By Joseph Clarke

BY ELD. JOS. CLARKE.

THIS term is usually used to express a settled dislike to certain persons, objects, or opinions, which, from impressions that have influenced us and given a previous bias to our minds, we hold as unworthy of our support and confidence. Prejudice, then, is a mirror in which we see reflected early education, and all that is calculated to influence the mind against that which is good, or against those who are worthy. A well-balanced and properly educated mind will not fall in with prejudice, however common, wide-spread, and popular it may become; but will wait for authentic and reliable evidence before coming to a definite conclusion on any subject which may present itself to the mind.

There is a vast field spread out before the candid inquirer after truth; and after a life-time of study, careful research, and deep thought, many subjects will come before the mind, concerning which an impartial conclusion cannot be reached without waiting for additional evidence. There is no moral law or principle which can urge any intelligent person to form a conclusion in the absence of evidence. This is the virtue and privilege of superior and intelligent minds, to wait for evidence before making decisions; while weak and ignorant minds often rush to a decision without regard to evidence, or right reason.

When an opinion is formed from proper evidence, in accordance with sound reason, we do not say that this is the result of prejudice; but it is the result of investigation, thought, and enlightened judgment. Persons who are intelligent, industrious, studious, and candid in their investigations, and deliberate in their conclusions, are not liable to mistakes, misfortunes, and losses in the affairs of this life, or those of the next; but their path is approved of God, who orders the steps of the righteous.

Prejudice exists in various forms and degrees in many minds where we would not expect to find it. Sometimes it happens that those who are well-informed and candid on subjects in general are not so on religious matters. Even wise men, who would give a just decision in the courts, and in all worldly affairs would not think of deciding until they could get at the facts in the case, seem to lose all patience and candor when religious matters are discussed, and are prepared to decide without the least regard to evidence such as they would consider necessary in cases of a scientific, commercial, or legal nature.

It was prejudice which caused the opposition to Galileo, when he asserted that the earth revolves around the sun. It was prejudice which caused Copernicus to be despised and ridiculed for asserting the true position of the sun amid the lesser lights. Modern teachers admit the discoveries of Copernicus and Galileo; but the same obtuseness of the human mind may yet sway the modern schools, and gravest errors may be indorsed and upheld by those who in most respects are candid and well-informed. Let all look carefully to it that they do not allow prejudice to control their minds, and close their eyes to the progress of the truth of the Bible.