p. 157 | Likenesses by E. W. Darling

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 12, 1864

Likenesses.

By E. W. Darling

My mind has been somewhat exercised heretofore on the subject of likenesses, and as my attention was again called to the subject by Bro. C.'s letter in the Review, I concluded to give my reasons and the ground on which I stand with regard to it for the consideration of the brethren.

First I would say that abstract words have a positive meaning, always the same; but they may be so qualified by the sentence or circumstance with which they are connected as to have widely different meanings. For example, to kill is to take life not only of man but of any brute, bird or insect, and the sixth commandment says, "Thou shalt not kill." The sentence does not here qualify the language but circumstances to which it relates evidently do, and no person of common sense would scruple to take the life of beast or insect when necessary.

Now the second commandment says, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything." My mind was once quite scrupulous and undecided as to the exact meaning and extent of these words which led to investigation with the following result. 1. Webster defines likenesses to be "resemblance, to be like." 2. Therefore the language must be qualified for one letter is the likeness of another and the commandment does not prohibit the practice of producing letters in writing. 3. If the language must be qualified, what but reason and common sense shall qualify it, reason itself teaches that, not only the production of the likeness of the different letters of our alphabet but also of beasts, birds, buildings, fruits, flowers &c., are harmless, instructive and no violation of the commandment when made for the above purposes. Therefore we must conclude that the commandment forbids the making of such images, and only such, as are made for the purpose of worship. But is not the likeness of a friend, or any beautiful picture liable to gain too prominent a place in the affections? or be the object of worship? Certainly, so

are our friends, our food, our money. One can worship the mammon of unrighteousness, however little he may possess, or he can make a god of his belly. But the proper use of food, or of money is no crime; neither does it tend to crime. The same with likenesses. Besides Ex. xx, 4, the Bible speaks of the same in the following places which are justly subject to the same remarks. See Lev. xxvi, 1; Deut. iv, 16-19; v, 8, 9; Ps. xcvii, 7. That the people of this generation have gone to a fearful extreme in making and adoring likenesses and pleasant pictures, is evident. Among other denunciations against the works and men of the last generation, is Isa. ii, we find in verse 16, that the day of the Lord shall be upon all pleasant pictures. May God forbid that our houses should be flooded with them, or our hearts polluted by their worship; but may we know the truth, and may it make us free from sin, error, inconsistency and superstition. E. W. DARLING.