Editorial August 13, 1927 Issue

Truth's Triumph over Fear and Unbelief

Ella W. Hoag

John's discernment was remarkably keen and clear when, in referring to the sins which are to "have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone," he began his classification by speaking of the "fearful, and unbelieving."

Now fear and unbelief have rarely been placed by the world at large in the category of sins. Indeed, they have been considered so innocent in their nature that mankind has almost invariably presented excuses for them whenever and wherever they have appeared, and more often than not has claimed that they are quite unblameworthy; indeed, it has argued that men have a right to indulge them. Even though in late years eyes have been slowly opening to see that these elements almost always result in suffering of some sort, in discord and disaster, even then men have accepted them as impossible of avoidance and as necessary accompaniments to all human existence.

This has been especially the case with fear. This arch deceiver has gone on holding the world in bondage through the beliefs that fear is unavoidable and unconquerable; that the one expressing it is not responsible for its presence; that because of all this there is nothing sinful in its nature. As a result men have been its victims and have submitted to its demands much oftener than they have resisted them. The apparent hopelessness of the situation has plunged them into acceptance of fear's outrageous claims until the "fire and brimstone" have seemed almost at hand. Then the sufferer has cried out for relief. And where can freedom from fear and its attendant torture be found except in the understanding of God's infinite goodness?

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