p. 260 | CHRISTIAN PATIENCE by Edward P. Ingersoll

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 22, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 17

CHRISTIAN PATIENCE.

By Edward P. Ingersoll

John Calvin has said, “I have not so great a struggle with my vices, great and numerous as they are, as I have with my impatience.”

The Alexander is strong within us. To conquer obstacles and difficulties without, and even curb passions within, is easier than to “rule the spirit” and bridle the tongue. With what pains and patience men study the art of speaking Saxon and French and German and even the classics, that they may give the most delicate light and shade to thought. But the divine art of silence—holding the tongue under neglect or insult, being calm under every pressure of adversity—this surely is greater. Patience measures the character; it perfects it. “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Yet what do we see in the large measure of cases? Men living as if passion were strength. They groan and tug away as if there were no God at the helm. They hurry and bustle, rushing hither and thither, as if fire in the glow could make everything peaceful and fruitful. But who has found fussing, fuming, and fretting, elements of strength? What character have they provided? What plans have they perfected? Impatience never made anything better in this world.

“Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness.”

But more than this. When the spirit of impatience has been curbed and harnessed into submission, then we have patience as an aggressive power. That patience which has learned to endure well soon has power to fight well. “Running with patience the race which is set before us” is no anomaly. “The meek shall inherit the earth” because they conquer it. This divine patience, then, is not confined to a holy defense. It possesses the soul, putting the quality of endurance into all our graces, without which they would be worthless. John’s love was enduring love. Paul’s glory in the cross was an enduring glory. They held themselves ready to wait or to go, according as the Spirit bade them; and though it seems to us they were always going, they were wise in their generation, watching with calm judgment for the moment of action. They were like the fabled Argus with his hundred eyes till the occasion was ripe, and then they were like Briareus with his hundred hands. Waiting and speeding were alike to them divine service.

See this personal patience in our Lord. He conquered evil by enduring evil. He broke the malice of his enemies by his enduring patience. God’s law is broken, and the guards of his majesty torn away and trampled under foot, and lo! he comes forth in human form with a power greater than law, greater than majesty, even the power of his patience. Now we can understand the scripture, “Thy gentleness hath made me great.”

With this truth before us, can we not now see why so many who are very active in religion accomplish so little, while others who are little known accomplish so much? One is converted to the kingdom of works (which generally becomes a kingdom of war); the other to the kingdom of patience. The one comes with warnings, with anathemas, with complaints; he rails at his adversaries; he blows the blasts of scorn upon all who oppose him; he is impetuous, hot, willful in his goodness. Men must follow him or fall before him. Write “Jehu” upon him, not Jesus.

But take the other class, who are converted to patience before they are converted to works. They unlock souls by the glow of Christ, and not by the sharp ax of reproach. They have that charity which “suffereth long and is kind.” No bitter words at your conduct, no malicious construction of what you do, no fretting and impatience, no implacable resentment of supposed injuries: but in them the calm composure of a soul which waits. Before such a spirit a flood of influence will continually roll. The world is to be disarmed only by this abiding patience. “The kingdom and patience of Jesus.” They go together.—Edward P. Ingersoll, D. D., in Christian Weekly.