p. 94 | Christian Consistency by Jesse Hiestand

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 16, 1864

Christian Consistency.

By Jesse Hiestand

Our minds, unless they are stupefied by prejudice, must advance in knowledge. The discovery of new truth will modify old views and opinions. True Christian consistency consists, not in stereotyping our opinions and views and in refusing to make any improvement in truth or knowledge, lest we should be guilty of change; but it consists in holding our minds open to receive the rays of truth from every quarter, and in changing our views and language and practice as often and as fast as we can obtain further information. I call this Christian consistency because this course alone accords with a Christian profession. A Christian profession implies the profession of candor and of a disposition to know and obey all truth.

It must follow that Christian consistency implies continued investigation and change of views and practice corresponding with increasing knowledge. No Christian therefore should be afraid to change his views in conformity with increasing light on truth.

Every Christian should inquire, Lord what is truth? and then follow where it may lead.

Yours for truth. JESSE HIESTAND.

Palestine, Ills.