Right vs. Wrong by A. G. Riddle

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Jan 19, 1864

Right vs. Wrong.

By A. G. Riddle

A GREAT truth is weakened by what men call elucidation. Illustration obscures it; logic and argument compromise it; and demonstration brings it to doubt. He who permits himself to be put on its defensive, is a weak man and a coward. A great truth is never so strong as when left to stand on its simple assertion.

The thing right forever remains right under all possible circumstances and conditions, in all times, places, and seasons. Nor can it be changed at all. Not all power, nor the combination of all power, no matter how employed or applied, can change it in the least. It matters not at all how men call it—though the unanimous world conspire to call it ill, and tag it out with all vile epithets—though all obscene mouths make it common, and lewd tongues toss it into sewers, and delicate and refined ears may not hear it—it is nowise changed. No matter what ill happens to it; though cast out, exiled, banished and outlawed, marked and forever banned, made leprous with contumely and reproach; though prisoned, tried, condemned and executed, and its body, like carrion, cast to vultures, it still lives, is still right; holds its old place and old scepter. Nor can any man, by any power, under any circumstances, for anything, be absolved from the allegiance he owes it.

So, too, its great opposite, wrong, must forever be wrong, and not right. No matter, though taken from its native hell and enthroned a crowned king; though a universe bow to it, and cry "all hail!" though constitutions be written to sustain it; though laws be enacted in its name, and ermined judges wrench the maxims of "wisdom's gray fathers" for its support; though jurors be sworn by it, and all magistrates bound to enforce its decrees; though its name be writ-in all holy places, and graved on all shrines, and its maxims mingled in the rights of holy ministration, and its sanctified hands only can bless and curse, join and put asunder; though it reign till hoary prescription grows up and surrounds it with a wall of custom and habit and use, that existed "time whereof the memory of man runneth not to the contrary;"—still it is wrong and not right. Its reign is a usurpation, its laws an outrage, against which rebellion is righteous; and the immunities and privileges which it confers are the fruits of robbery, murder, and ravishment. A thousand years of growth cannot change wrong into right.—Hon. A. G. Riddle of Ohio.