Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-12
By Robert D. Burbank,
THE MYSTERY OF A MINOR
ITY'S MIGHT.-Judges 6.11-1S.

The difference between a majority
and minority is one of size or num-
bers only. This difference may be very
great or very small, but the minority
Is always inferior to the ma jority. and
in democratic governments, at least,
under its control. In a democracy the
majority is the basis for the govern
mental authority. for men have deemed
that the opinion of the majority can
generally be trusted. 1t cannot be
denied that the majority often makes
mistakes. but, after all. 1T is probably
the safest and. best basis for govern
mental authority. for as Lincoln SO
well said, :'You can fool all of the peo-
pie some. of the time, and some of the
people all of the time: but you cannot
fool all of the people all of the time"
The minority. however, is not en-
tirely impotent. even though the opin-
ion Of the majority does rule, for there
is always the opportunity for the mi
nority to. become the majority by a
change of mind of part of the major
ity:. and where, the minority is in the
right. and it is only matter Of edu-
cation to secure this, change Of mind
or sentiment, the minority will ulti-
mately become the majority. and so
prevail, because ultimately the right
prevails in every question or issue.
Generally the majority is the eX-
preston Of an opinion or conviction
about a matter that has been accom-
plished,t while the. minority expresses
the conviction that. is coming into ex-
istence: so all progress is through the
minority. all new. undertakings, new
ideas ard new CONVICTIONS that must
be tried out" as to whether they are
wise and logical and. true most be ad-
vanced by the minorities. and are not
adopted. until those mfnorities. grow
the world has, been done by. the few
and the leaders in the development, of
science. ethics, religion. politics and
other fields haye been supported by a
a very few. compared to the great ma
jority opposed to them. But as their
ideas orr convictions were understood
and accepted by more and more the
few grew to larger and stronger
mir GRITTY that kept on increasing until
it finally. became a majority, and then
the idea or conviction was established
TIE Might Of Gideon.
The passage cited as reference for
this topic gives us the story. Of Gideon
as an illustration of the upower of a
minority. or Of a few against MANY, when
God is with Sthe few. Among all the
characters whom we. meet in the Book
Of Judges Gideon is probably most ia
miliar, He was called to the accom-
plishment of task that seemed impos-
nble, and he did 1t; we like to make
the acquaintance of that sort Of a man.
Gideon was one of, the leaders raised
up during that turbulent time that, fol-
lowed the settlement of the Hebrews in
Canaan. Many people were contending
for the mastery of that land, and the pre-
dominance never remained long with any
Of them. At the time when Gideon first
appeared as "A leader Of Israel the Mid
la mites had been in control for seven
years. -
indian had ruled with rod of iron and
the Hebrews. were little better than
slaves. Apparently their spirit had been
broken by the iron despotism of their
copquerors. but always there .smouldered
in many. breasts fire of patriotism that
might be relied upon when the day of
revolt should come.
Suddenly Gideon received hist call. At
the very moment when he was trying to
outwit his Midianite masters in "a minor
affair he received the commission, to lead
his people in the uprising that should
throw off the hated yoke. @BAt he knew
how slight were his resources; ne was
unknown; he had no money, no infu-
ence. no military training: 1t was al