REPROACH | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 27, 1857

REPROACH.

It is doubtless too often the case that the fear of the reproach of men leads many to stifle their convictions of the important truths of these last days, and shut their eyes to the light that shineth, and turn their feet from the way of preparation. How low and groveling such a course appears when we look upon it in its true light! To throw off our moral courage, to lay down our spiritual independence, and become slaves to the opinions and prejudices of mortals around us, worms like ourselves—why should we do it! And yet it is a fact that the opinions of society and the love of popularity hold many in bonds which they seem powerless to sever.

As if in view of this very spiritual bondage which would throw its merciless arms around mankind, just as they ought to step out and act upon important and solemn truth, God through his prophet gives us counsel, yea even a command, upon this very point. "Hearken unto me," says he, "ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men neither be ye afraid of their revilings." Why? The reason is contained in the description of man's state and the fate which awaits him, as follows: "For the moth shall eat them up like a garment and the worm shall eat them like wool." Isa. li, 7, 8. O away with the trammels of pride and popularity! Away with a servile adherence to the opinions of men! The time is coming when the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies; when distinctions will vanish like bubbles upon the sea; and the word of God only shall stand unshaken. Let that word alone be sought, and its requirements alone obeyed.

But there is a reproach which we should fear to have come upon us. It is the reproach which those who by and by will find themselves lost, shut out of the kingdom, destroyed for lack of knowledge, will heap upon those who knew the truth, if they have not warned them of it. How should we bear to have our friends, as the dark and dismal prospect of utter and hopeless woe begins to open before them without possibility of escape—how should we bear to have them say to us, You knew the truth, but you told us not of it! You saw the danger coming, but you warned us not! You had the light, but you kept it hid! Oh! had you been faithful with us while probation lingered, we had escaped this miserable destiny!

Let us see to it that we render not ourselves liable to such reproaches as these. Let people reproach us now, if they will, for doing our duty and warning them faithfully; but let them have no chance by and by to reproach us for not having done it. Let them reproach us now for pointing out the humble and narrow way to Mt. Zion but let them not reproach us by and by, because we pointed to them no way of escape from the coming storm. Let them now revile us, if they choose, for letting our light shine; but when the tables are turned, and Wisdom laughs at their calamity, and mocks when their fear cometh, let them not have ground to accuse us of having hidden it from their eyes. Their reproaches now, we are commanded not to fear, nor be afraid of their revilings; but woe unto us, if in that day we fall justly beneath their condemnation, and find the blood of souls upon our garments. In view of the decisions which will soon be passed for an endless eternity, let us acquit ourselves faithfully to our fellow-men.