Untitled article by JOS. CLARKE.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · September 17, 1867

OUR EXPERIENCE.

By JOS. CLARKE.

If one lesson were well remembered, it would save us much sorrow and anguish of heart; but how often it happens that memory fails to treasure up the impression of past experience, and we must go through another, and perhaps another, before we learn how evil and bitter a thing it is to wander from the path of humility and wisdom.

Our besetments are strong, and we battle them awhile, but soon wearying—we rest in the enchanted ground, and darkness comes on, and we stray from the way, because darkness enshrouds us; and darkness envelops the mind because of our lingering upon enchanted ground. Thus dullness and apathy beget darkness, and darkness makes way for great errors and heinous sins.

This should be the Christian's aim, to fully understand his own heart, that he may be able to meet the suggestion of Satan, and the motives of the carnal heart, and the effect of worldly influences from without.

The more clear and decided the experience, the better its effect; but if when repentance is experienced, alloy is allowed in the heart, and mental reservation mingle with the bitter cup, and we justify ourselves in part, then the work is but partly done, and another scourge is necessary to prevent ruin.

Self-complacency, and self-adulation, and self-commendation, and self-justification, come in often to hinder the work of true repentance; but if, when the bitter cup is presented to us, we could bear the bitter and wait its effect, all would be well; but in order to sweeten this cup, we partake of some of the selfish ingredients mentioned above, and our repentance is made of but little if of any avail; and if we stand in the favor of God, it is only by means of another severe cross, and more painful conflict, until we drink the bitter cup without the sweetmeats of Satan.

JOS. CLARKE.