The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-22
For the Central Presbyterian.
Controversy VS.. Ignorance.

Controversy is often sacred duty.
On the other hand 1T is sometimes mis-
chieevous nuisance. And the spirit that
leads to controversy is sometimes oood
and acknowledgements bad and
censurable. Controversy, in its good
sense, has been the means of bringing
into light and into active operation ali
the truth that is known in the world
And as truth-divine and humans the
necessary foundation of all real and sub
stantial virtue and success, controversy
is invaluable. From the time of that
first Satanic lie in Eden, followed quickly
by the fall and depravity of the whole
human race, faLSehood has been the steady
and normal preference of unregenerated
mankind. Against this huge BODY of
talsehood, truth from God, and truth
from reason have slowly, painfully, self
denylngly made their way. And they
have made their way solely by the
agency OF controversy incessant, persis-
tent-indomitable controversy. There
fore, those worthy and well.meaning
people, who think it wise to be all the
time crying out against controversy, and
lnvelghing against what they call a con-
troversial spirit, have evidently not re-
hected on the subject. In seeking to
Danish controversy from the world thew
are seeking to destroy the worlds only
hope for hight and truth and holiness.
Hence, there is no difficulty in dis
crimating between the good and legiti
mate controversial spirit, and the coun-
terfeit emil spirit which assumes the name.
The man who embarks in controversy
merely because he loves a quarrel-be-
cause he is deeply moved by the "qaudia
certana'nlS" the JOY of fights ready
to sees for occasions of strife, and to take
either side for the mere purpose of stir
ring up the fires of the conflict. Such
man deserves nothing but contempt and
adherence. But the man who deeply
and earnestly loves the t2uth and who.
seeing the truth assailed by subtle and
dangerous error, seeks at once, by legiti-
mate controversy. to furnish the antidote.
and to neutralize or destroy the error,
and build up the truth on the very ruins
OF the exploded error-such man has
the good and right controversial spirit.
and Is a real benefactor and lover of
mankind.
Therefore, controversy to expose al
overthrow error, and to manifest and es
tabhsh truth is always right. And when
error appears, the sooner the controversy
is entered on, the better. For the de-
PRAYED heart of the unrenewed man loves
error, especially such error as DESTROYS
confidence in God and virtue. Such
error Is eagerly embraced and cherished
by the natural heart, and instantly be-
gins to diffuse its poison through the
whole moral system. Controversy is
necessary to furnish the antidote. and
though no power but the merciful power
OF God can make the antidote eficacious
yet, be it remembered, that that merci-
tul power In all ordinary cases, operates
through the exhibition and establishment
of the truth.
To make controversy right and praise
worthy two elements are requisite LIST
That 1t shall be undertaken for the vim
dlcation and establishment of inaportant
truth. I'd. That it shall be conducted
IN Christian and courteous spirit. But
what is that Christian and courteous
spirit? Grave mistakes are sometimes
made on that point. Some seem to think
that controversy may be best conducted
IN manner so tame, monotonous, life
less, bloodless, horrid, that its only OBJ
Ject Is to operate as an opiate, and put to
sleep all readers and auditors. ANY such
theory destroys the very life of the means
used. Controversy er " te7n1ini involves
a struggle, conflict, and the man who
expects to conduct it successfully without
throwing fire and Uim into his efforts will |
assuredly fail. Controversy ought to be
earnest, unrelenting, keen, severe, per-
slstent until every shoot of the error as
sailed Is either deracinated or killed and
until the opposing truth is substantially
established. And this may be done with
out any departure from Christian courte
sy to the personality Of the opponent. He
has no right to expect any mercy or for
bearance towards the errors he is propa-
eating, or towards his matter, manner.
words or arguments used for that pur-
pose. 1t Is reasonable to insist that the
Holy Scriptures no where encourage any
departure from the Christian and court
eous spirit. Yet the Holy Scriptures.
from Genesis to the Apocalypse, every
where abound in earnest, sharp, stern, re-
lentless controversy. Christ, our merci
tul and compassionate Redeemer, used
controversy in His public and private
discourses: and in dealing with error.
whether phariseeisu or saddnceeiero or