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CHRISTIAN ENIGMA

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The Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · November 27, 1879

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 54, No. 22

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CHRISTIAN ENIGMA.

THIS interesting Christian enigma was found among the papers of the late Mrs. Lydia N. Cox.
There is a small number of people scattered here and there in the world, of whom authentic history gives the following sad description. They partake of flesh and blood in common with the rest of mankind, and yet are not of this world, but are born from above. Their bodies are mortified, yea, their bodies are dead, yet full of life, activity, and vigor.
Their life is supported by seeing an object which is invisible, and which no man can see and live. They walk not by sight, but still they walk in the light, and see whither they go. There is in them more carefulness than in other people, and yet they are careful for nothing, and cast all their care upon another. Though they take no thought for the morrow, yet they constantly look forward, and diligently provide for the time to come.
While they cross and deny themselves, they invariably pursue their own pleasure and interests.
Their conversation is without covetousness, and yet they covet earnestly the best things. They are content with such things as they have, and still ardently reach after some things which they have not. They are so poor that they have nothing, and yet so rich that they have all things.
Though they are not their own, they are free men; though servants to all men, they are free from all, and under bondage to none.
They love their relatives, friends and neighbors, yea, all men as themselves, and yet hate father, mother, brother and sister, wives and children.
Though they are subject to rules, obey parents, and honor all men, yet they call no man father or master on earth, and will not be servants of men.
They delight to be often alone, and when they are alone they are in the best company, and enjoy the sweetest communion.
Though they have put away all bitterness, anger and malice, there is in them for this reason the more indignation, the more revenge. They bear all things, but fight daily—follow peace with all men, but contend earnestly, and are engaged in continual warfare. They are without strength, but can do all things, and they are strongest when they are weakest.
This may seem a strange character, but it is a real one, and it is much to be lamented that it is not more common. When it is general, the world will be more happy.—Selected.