Individual Independence
383
People who love to see opponents combat, may clamor for dis-
cussion. Others, who have a desire to hear the evidences on both
sides, may urge discussion in all honesty of motive; but whenever
discussions can be avoided, they should be. They generally strengthen
combativeness and weaken that pure love and sacred sympathy which
should ever exist in the hearts of Christians although they may differ
in opinions.
Discussions in this age of the world are not real evidences of
earnest desire on the part of the people to investigate the truth, but
come through the love of novelty and the excitement which generally
attends discussions. God is seldom glorified or the truth advanced in
these combats. Truth is too solemn, too momentous in its results, to
make it a small matter whether it is received or rejected. To discuss
truth for the sake of showing opponents the skill of the combatants is
ever poor policy, for it does but very little to advance the truth.
Opponents to the truth will show skill in misstating their opponent.
They will make the most solemn, sacred truths the subject of ridicule.
They will generally sport and deride precious, sacred truth, and place
it in so false a light before the people that minds that are darkened by
error and polluted by sin do not discern the motives and objects of
[425]
these designing men in thus covering up and falsifying precious and
important truth. Because of the men who engage in them, there are
but few discussions that it is possible to conduct upon right principles.
Sharp thrusts are too frequently given by both parties, personalities
are indulged in, and frequently both parties descend to sarcasm and
witticism. The love of souls is lost in the greater desire for the mastery.
Prejudice, deep and bitter, is often the result of discussions.
I have beheld angels grieved as the most precious jewels of truth
have been brought before men utterly incapable of appreciating the
evidences in favor of the truth. Their entire being was at war with the
principles of truth; their natures were at enmity with it. Their object
in discussing was not that they might get hold of the evidences of the
truth themselves or that the people might have a fair understanding
of our true position, but that they might confuse the understanding
by placing the truth in a perverted light before the people. There are
men who have educated themselves as combatants. It is their policy to
misstate an opponent and to cover up clear arguments with dishonest
quibbles. They have devoted their God-given powers to this dishonest