The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-03-16
{ Report for Class A by A. A. w.

Report for Class A by A. a. W.
A longing for truth is implanted in the nature
of every man. Devotion to truth, even though it
be cold mathematical truth, is found in the his
tory of all ages Socrates could have saved his life
by sacrificing his convictions. but he refused de-
claring it would be violation of truth. The pas
sion for invention and discovery is, in great
measure, but an indication of the love of truth.
There is not an applied force in science or in
dustry that is not in some form discovery of
truth in Natures laws, and men use it, and re-
ioice in it. Truth brings light to the mind, even
when the heart loves darkness. Men demand
truth in others when they live in error them
selves. The love of truth is a paramount prin-
cipIe in humanity. Whatever opposes truth is
Self-destructive. Opposition may flourish for a
while, and even hold temporary reign over the
minds of men, but it cannot remain in power.
Error is contrary to nature, out of harmony
with law. and observation-disclosures house di-
vided against itself that is sure to fall Not all
error is sin against God but it is sin against
something; and God will cause the right to assert
itself in the laws of nature as surely as in the
laws of morality and religion. All law is relent-
less and ineXorabe. and will at last demand
penalty for its violation to the utternOSt farth-
ing. As long as God reignS in the universe his
law must be supreme. Every truth of science,
art. philosophy. or religion is but a revelation of
His character and work. 1t does not, cannot de-
pend upon the wiSest men. They may discover
the truth and invent processes for its applica-
tons. but the truth itself is not dependent upon
them. Men may be murdered for maintaining
it, but their blood becomes the germnant ele-
ment for its more rapid propagation. Socrates
was poisoned. but the truth he spoke survives
the gods of Greece. SavOnarOla persisted, but
the power of the truth he uttered will yet result
in the emancipation of Italy Christ died for the
truth, but his death brought salvation to per-
ishing world All truth is of God. He who fights
the truth of scence-not its hypotheses-is sure
ly fighting against God as he who fights the
truth of revelation. One has we'll said, Science
shows us God in nature, while revelation shows
lis God in grace and salvation" OF all the
truth the most vital to man is that found in the
gospel. 1t is this truth that Paul prOphesied
could not be bound. Those who saw him priS
oner in chains doubtless thought that in a few
years the end of gospel-wOrk and preaching
would come But through every form of OppO-
Sition and persecution the truth of the gospel
has grown, until now it is accepted and believed
in every part of the world where industry, pro-
gress and civilization prevail. The gospel is the
cleareSC revelation Oh GOu Ill his dealings WITH
men. 1t concerns mans highest interest. salts
ties his most solemn questionings, ministers to
his fullest development. and quiets his greatest
fears. AS long. therefore. man hopes for
growth, or looks for a future, the truth of the
gospel will live. 1t alone gives answer to the
deepest problems of his life Yet there are those
who fear that the World will be bound, hemmed
in. contracted. modified and, perhaps. finally
overthrow. This fear never troubled the ApOs-
tie. He was that the truth would triumph
over all forms Of opposition, persecution and
skepticism.