ILLUSTRIOUS EXAMPLES by E. H. Gates

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 27, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 22

ILLUSTRIOUS EXAMPLES.

By E. H. Gates

BY E. H. GATES.

Why is it that we are so spiritless in the work of the Lord? While we all feel an interest in things pertaining to our temporal welfare, why should we not show a corresponding zeal in spiritual matters? Occasionally, as we get glimpses of the glory beyond, we resolve that our whole mind, might, and strength shall be devoted to the service of the Master. But oh, how easy to lose this love, and backslide from God! We allow the glitter and tinsel of this poor life to eclipse the treasures of Heaven, which are as much more valuable than earth’s treasures as Heaven is higher than earth. Could the New Jerusalem, in all its effulgent glory, be revealed to our enraptured vision, and we be permitted to look through its pearly portals and hear the ravishing sounds of heavenly music which float from angelic harps, what could hinder us from obtaining one of those “many mansions”?

With a dazzling crown of immortality just within our grasp, we are satisfied to grovel in the rubbish of this world, seeking for enjoyment, and when it is obtained, it proves to be as the apples of Sodom. The truth is, we do not half realize the worth of eternal life, nor what it has cost to obtain it for us. We want all the good things of this life and of the future one without being willing to pay the price. Our Saviour understood the worth of Heaven, and was willing to lay aside his glory and majesty, and to sacrifice

ease, pleasure, and even life, that lost man might enjoy the glory of immortal life. And while all Heaven is interested in our salvation, why should we be so indifferent?

A few godly men in the past have had an idea of the infinite worth of eternal life. Moses, “reared in the court of Pharaoh,” and “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,” had a true idea of the vanity of earthly honors, and the worth of God’s favor. Instead of using his wealth and high position as means to gratify ambition and lust, as he might have done, he united himself to a despised race of bondmen, “choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Heb. 11: 25, 26.

Paul, the great apostle, also had right conceptions of the comparative values of earthly and heavenly rewards. Though learned, rich, and influential, he sought his enjoyment in laboring for men who but poorly appreciated his self-denial in their behalf. His faith caused him to have just what every Christian should have,—a burning zeal for the advancement of the kingdom of God; and though he suffered from hunger and thirst, from stripes and imprisonment, and from perils on land and sea, yet all this time he was cheered by thoughts of “the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” when his life of toil should close. No sacrifice was too great to make for Christ. Hear him: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Phil. 3: 7, 8.

The millions of martyrs who were sacrificed on pagan and papal altars, had a just appreciation of the cost of salvation. Their faith was shown by the sacrifices they made.

May we, the remnant church, now almost on the borders of the heavenly Canaan, rise in the strength of Israel’s God, and “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”