Article January 11, 1900 Issue

Truth Triumphant Over Error

Sylvanus Stall

Just outside of the city of Geneva, in Switzerland, there are two rivers which come together at an acute angle; the one to the left is muddy and turbid, while that to the right is as clear as crystal; you can look down through its liquid depths, clearly distinguishing that which lies at the bottom of the river. Standing there upon that narrow neck of land, as far as the eye can reach, these two rivers move along side by side, as though divided by an invisible partition of glass. But if you go down the river a mile or two you discover that the clear, limpid water is beginning to be defiled by the waters of the turbid stream. If you go down the river a short distance further you find that the clear, crystal water is lost in the mingled presence of the muddy stream. You go down the river a few miles further, and you find that the mud and the filth and the dirt are beginning to settle down to their native earth—the river is filtering as it flows. If you go down to where it pours its great flood into the ocean, as its waters roll at your feet, you will find the entire stream clear as crystal. So it is with the stream of Truth flowing from beneath the throne of God, to be mixed and mingled in the early centuries with doubt and unbelief and error and sin, until multitudes of men all along the ages inquire, "Where is truth?" and "What is truth?" But as you come down the centuries you discover that error and unbelief and scepticism are settling down to their native earth and the stream of Truth is growing clearer and purer, and when at last the generations of men shall stand where this great river pours its vast flood into the ocean of eternity it shall be clear as crystal—as when it flowed from beneath the throne of God.

From "Methods of Church Work," by Rev. Sylvanus Stall, A.M.

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