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Harsh Criticism

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Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Aug 14, 1879

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 5, No. 31.

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Harsh Criticism.

It is a common fault to construe language to the injury of those who utter it. The larger share of criticisms is evidently strained to make a case. Language is made to convey a bad meaning when designed to express that which is good and true. This is the style of partisan strife, and especially of theological discussion. A bad case is manufactured, because more easily attacked than a good one. Luther was charged with doctrines he did not teach; Wesley was accused of motives he utterly abhorred; Edwards was criticised as a heretic; Lyman Beecher was tried for deadly errors; Finney was denounced as a teacher of dangerous doctrines, and, indeed, about every man who has attempted any reform, has suffered from perversion of his language, and misstatement of his motives.—Sel.