“But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing.” Gal. iv, 18.
My mind has been stirred up somewhat to this subject of late by seeing on the part of some a wrongly directed zeal, while on the part of others but little of this quality is possessed. According to our text, zeal is good.
Some by seeing an over-heated zeal on the part of others have been driven to an opposite extreme, and feared to move at all lest they should injure instead of advancing the cause of the Lord. While on the other hand those who have possessed this extra amount of zeal, have seemed to act as though there was no discretion to be used in presenting to others our views of truth. Now you do not find me among those who would cast a stone at the individual who has a well directed zeal in this glorious cause of present truth; but from what I have seen I know of some whose zeal not only endangers them to an overthrow themselves, but their course is anything but beneficial to the cause of God.
Paul spake of a company on one occasion: “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”
An individual in such a case is like a ship at sea under full sail without ballast; when the storms arise and find her in that case, she must of course be lost. It seems from Paul’s view of this subject that zeal must be tempered by knowledge. Now I have known instances where lay members have tried to be zealous advocates of the truth when they would have accomplished an hundred fold more not to have said a word, but by living consistent lives, convinced the gainsayers that there was a power in the truth that could sanctify and cleanse the heart.
When persons with but little knowledge of the subject they are trying to talk, quote scripture in a bungling manner, it cannot be otherwise than that it should have a bad influence for the truth. I once heard an individual of this stamp attempt to advocate the doctrine of the destruction of the wicked; he claimed that there was a time when there was to be no hell. He then quoted “Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire;” but after that said he, John said there was no more sea, so there can’t be any lake of fire then; but who could gain light from such reasoning?
I am satisfied there is not much benefit to result from talking the truth with contentious spirits. It is better to be silent before them than to bunglingly throw out ideas as I have seen some do. Such will generally say, If it was not for this objection I might agree with you; and while you might be answering the one objection they would throw in five more. Would it not be better for those who do not thoroughly understand the truth if they are zealous to see it advance, to take our publications in which all these objections are answered, and put them in the hands of such individuals. Or if you are satisfied they are only trying to pick flaws with the truth, would it not be best to serve them somewhat as a brother did a fox-like minister a few days since. The elder saw him passing and cried out, Ho! Mr. B——, stop a minute! What’s wanting? Well, I wanted to ask if you believe so and so? The Bro. was satisfied he understood the matter, and only asked for the purpose of taking some advantage. His only reply was, Was that all you wanted? Yes. Well, said he, Good day; and walked on.
But, say you, we are exhorted to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us with meekness and fear. True, but it would not follow from this that every man must be a public speaker. We may most effectually give them an answer by placing a publication in their hand which explains the Sabbath question and its objections, or some other point of our faith. Of course if they are anxious for the truth, and carefully read our publications, they can understand how we look at their objections.
We would not wish to convey the idea in this article that all are in danger of having overmuch zeal; far from it. There are some who have candid neighbors who might be reached by the truth if they would give them a little instruction which they are capable of giving, and then furnish the publications and Review for them to read. But alas! they lack zeal in the cause, and their neighbors pass on neglected.
Some have had a zeal tempered with knowledge which has moved them out to place themselves and their all upon God’s altar. They have watched for opportunities to shed light. They have not considered that the exhortation to let their light shine, simply meant that they must talk with everybody without discretion; but they have considered when a call was made for God’s servants to go and speak the truth, and they gave of their substance to help them on their way that they were in part obeying the command, “let your light shine;” and they have felt a satisfaction no tongue can express as they have seen the results of their wisely directed zeal in this cause. The Lord help us to realize, as this is a good cause, it is good to be always zealously affected. May our zeal be according to knowledge. Amen.