Extremes by M. E. Cornell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 21, 1862

Extremes.

By M. E. Cornell

As a general thing extremes are dangerous, and should be avoided. In most cases it appears to be Satan's plan to keep us back of the mark or to drive us beyond it. With some, the plan of salvation is all law and no gospel, while with others it is all gospel and no law. Some cry, The Spirit! the Spirit! while others reject the Spirit entirely, and claim that the written word alone is our guide. While some claim justification on the ground of works, others claim to have it by "faith only." Some think religion consists solely in external forms, while others rush into fanaticism. To be on either extreme in these cases, is to be on the enemy's ground.

But there are some cases in which the medium position is obnoxious to God and pleasing to Satan. Says the true Witness, "I would thou wert cold or hot." We cannot serve God and mammon, because these do not agree. We are to love God with all the heart. There is no danger of an extreme to our hurt in this. A medium ground would not be accepted.

In regard to the duty of Sabbath-keepers relative to the present war, extremes should be avoided. The cause of the North is just, but there are too many Achans in the camp. The pride of the nation is being humbled. "Tekel" is written upon this government's prosperity, and we look for troublous times.

There are some very serious objections to a voluntary service in this war:

1. The camp associations are very corrupt, and the confusion and excitement would be destructive to spirituality. A young man of my acquaintance wrote back that in his company of eighty-one men, there was but one besides himself that did not swear and play cards.

2. The Sabbath could not be kept in the army. For us to volunteer to drill, march, build fortifications, and engage in the heat of battle, on the Sabbath, would show to the world that we regard the Sabbath as no more sacred than they do the Sunday.

I cannot see that the application some are making of "Thou shalt not kill" is correct. This command never did apply to all cases of taking human life. Another scripture says, "Thou shalt surely kill him," &c. Deut xiii, 9. If ever a war against rebels in any worldly government was just, I think it must be so in this. Everything dear to those who love a pure freedom is at stake. The civil, social, and moral institutions and interests of this country are in imminent peril. A rebellion so unnatural, so wicked, so unprovoked, is not recorded on the pages of history. And the man who would sympathize with such a rebellion, we cannot consider an enlightened Christian.

In regard to the duty of Seventh-day Adventists in case of a draft, I confess I have not yet seen very clear light. To decide now that we would resist the draft to the last extremity would, in my judgment, be rash and uncalled for. We do not all see this matter alike, and it is evident that we lack wisdom. Let us all agree in seeking wisdom of God, and it will be given in due time. It is safe to trust in God and wait for light. Our Father is at the helm, and he knows all our dangers, and will with every temptation make a way of escape. He could easily direct the ballot for the sake of those who keep his law; or, he might suffer us to be brought into a clearer test before sending deliverance. He suffered Daniel to go to the bottom of the lion's den; and the three worthies to be cast into the fiery furnace. They did not attempt to resist the authorities, but meekly looked to God for deliverance till it came. The God of Daniel still lives. "Only have faith." Now is the time to be sober and watch unto prayer. Without a special revelation from heaven, it seems like madness and presumption to attempt to resist the authorities. In one case two hundred armed men in Indiana united to resist the draft, but they were overpowered, and in disgrace had to submit.

"Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." Isa. viii, 12, 13.

"Hear, O ye my beloved, saith the Lord: behold, the days of trouble are at hand, but I will deliver you from the same. Be ye not afraid, neither doubt; for God is your guide, and the guide of them who keep my commandments and precepts, saith the Lord God." Apocrypha, 2 Esdras xvi, 74-76.

M. E. CORNELL.