EVERYTHING GOOD by Daniel Hildreth

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 28, 1861

EVERYTHING GOOD.

By Daniel Hildreth

MEN will have it that we are living in the golden age, and so try to make out that everything that exists was intended for some good purpose. They say that nothing was made in vain, and so contend that every plant, however noxious or poisonous it may be, was made for some use. Tell a tobacco-eater that tobacco was never made to be eaten, and he will instantly inquire, Well, what was it made for? Just as though everything that grows is to be used as food, drink or medicine. Everything is right, say they, and so every beast or insect, however troublesome, is looked upon as just what the Lord would have them. One man carried this so far that he would never kill a mosquito, but carefully brush it off.

The reader may ask, Did not the Lord make all things, and is not everything just as he would have it? To which I answer, No. The Lord never made an evil angel or a wicked man; everything that comes from his hand is good and pure, and if evil beings exist at the present time, it cannot be charged to him.

When the Lord had finished his six days' work, he not only pronounced everything good, but very good. The light was good, the firmament, the dry land and the seas were good, the trees and plants were good, nothing poisonous about them; beasts and insects were good, no poisonous reptile, no troublesome insect, nothing to cause death or even pain; man was good, holy and innocent. But the scene has changed. Man has become vile and wicked. "There is none that doeth good, no, not one." Some are good, compared with others, but none are good in the sense that Adam was. The animal creation fell with man. Their evil passions prevail, and they bite and devour each other. The earth has fallen, too, and produces thorns, thistles, nettles, poisonous briars and plants. This is the result of sin. These things did not exist at the first. The Lord did not make things in their present state. They exist in their present condition through the instrumentality of man. Everything has been perverted.

But why did not the Lord make man in such a state that he could not fail? It would be impossible to do so, and still leave him a free agent. Happiness depends upon free agency, and it is impossible to be fully happy without the exercise of this quality or property of mind. One thing is certain, as the Lord is infinitely wise and good, we know that he left things in the best possible condition.

But does he pronounce things in their present condition good? By no means. Then why do men try to make out everything good and just as it should be? It is owing in a great measure to their depravity and perverted judgment. I heard a man say once that this world was good enough for him. But methinks the enemy of man has something to do with this. He wants to make him think that this world is good, beautiful and attractive, so that he may not be anxious to obtain a better. When the world was good and beautiful, he tried to make him think that it was not, that there was something better for him, and thus he has always worked against the interests of the race.

Beware of the doctrines of devils. This world is an evil world, men are evil and wicked; animals and insects are poisonous and hurtful; thorns, thistles and other plants are troublesome and useless to promote happiness, being a part of the curse; in short, our world is all in ruins, and is not to be desired. But shall we murmur or complain? By no means. Things are the best adapted to the present condition of man that they possibly could be. If man still lived in the garden of Eden, he would not want a better world, and therefore would make no exertions to arrive at a holy state, and flee from every sin. Perfect happiness depends upon perfect holiness; so man would never in that case strive for holiness. After man had sinned and ruined the world, the Lord in mercy deprived him of certain comforts that he might consider from whence he had fallen, and make efforts to regain his primitive state.

Whenever he receives a wound, he remembers that once man could not be wounded. Whenever he sees a ravenous beast, he thinks of the time when every beast was tame and gentle. When he sees thistles and thorns, he thinks of the time when there were none. When conscience upbraids him for sin, he remembers the time when man was innocent. And he sighs for that tranquil state. And when he is told how to regain that first dominion, he eagerly starts in the way, and although troubles assail, encouraged by many promises of success, he presses forward.

Yes, make the best of this world, but not esteem it better than it is. Endure patiently its hardships and trials, never complain of evils which cannot be remedied. Above all, keep faith's eye steadily fixed on that bright and beautiful world to which you are traveling. Let a person keep his eye fixed steadily upon the light of the sun, and his soul will be filled with its glory and splendor. But let him retire into a cave where its light cannot enter, and candles and torches even will look bright. So when persons get their eyes fixed on this world, they soon lose sight of that beautiful world which knows no sorrow nor night. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Giving all diligence let us add to our faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity; that an entrance may be ministered unto us abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

DANIEL HILDRETH.

Freeport, Ills.