If We Are Only Honest by W. W. Wilson

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 26, 1864

If We Are Only Honest.

By W. W. Wilson

It does not make any difference what church we belong to, or what notion we have, if we are only honest. This cry is raised by the majority of the professing world. I have often heard ministers illustrate this by liking the Kingdom of Heaven to a commercial City. Business men are represented as visiting this city, from the four points of compass. Say they, the honest of the various denominations, in like manner, will meet in Heaven.

But this is not the teaching of the word. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. From this it is clear that there is but one faith. Again it is written, Strait and narrow is the way that leadeth to life. Matt. vii, 13–14. The, is a definite article and defines way and gate. If our friend's illustration is true. The words way and gate should be in the plural. Then it would read, Narrow are the ways and strait are the gates.

These "honest" souls, in nine cases out of ten, when truth is presented, if it differ from their creed, will not give the subject an investigation; and the servant of God is met with the plea of honesty. If their position is true, the drunken Catholic is as much entitled to a seat in Heaven as they; for who will doubt that he who pays the priest his hard earnings for the forgiveness of his sins, believes in his ability to forgive.

Those who take the Scriptures for their rule of faith and practice, will possess the spirit of the Bereans of old. They will search the Scriptures and see if these things are so. W. W. WILSON. Aldon, Ill.