ETERNITY by Mrs. L. D. A. Stuttle

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, June 24, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 56, No. 1

ETERNITY

By Mrs. L. D. A. Stuttle

BY MRS. L. D. A. STUTTLE.

I have often wondered how a person in full possession of his reason could turn his back upon all that is good and desirable in this life, and give up all hope of a life which is eternal, for a few days, or years at most, of reckless folly. I can never cease to wonder that one should barter away, for so small a consideration, a whole eternity of happiness!

Eternity! what a thought! Volumes might be written upon it, and yet the mind be unable to fathom its full import. How much would we give to live ten thousand years in a land where there was nothing to annoy us, and where our noblest aspirations would be realized? Yes; how much would we give? Ten thousand years is a long time, longer than old earth has existed. We would be willing to sacrifice very much to enjoy the bliss of Heaven as long as this. But what is promised to the overcomer? Ten thousand years of life? twenty thousand? a million? No; “He that believeth on me,” says Christ, “shall never die.”

Can we, will we, turn our backs upon all this, and calmly, deliberately, choose death rather than life? Oh, that these feeble words of mine might arrest the attention of some poor souls, before they make the fearful choice of the road which leads only to misery and death. The promise is only to the overcomer. “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Saved, eternally saved! Glorious prospect! blessed hope! God grant that the glad words be said unto us at last, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

Vernon, Mich.