We are often discouraged in the work of overcoming our sins, because we don't know just what to do, to get the blessing of God. We wish to do right, and we try; but through the weakness of the flesh, or under the influence of strong temptation, we yield, and lose our peace of mind. Then we take up our Bible and read passages like the following: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven, is perfect;” and again, “Finally, brethren, farewell; be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace.” You close the book, and meditate something like this: Jesus tells me to be perfect; and the apostle has added to this the injunction to be of good comfort, and to have peace toward God and man. I can never do it. My sins are like mountains weighing me down, and my soul is sadly discouraged on account of my many failures. Oh! if I might find peace, and feel that I was accepted of my Lord, how happy I should be; but I fear that I am not his child, and never can be on account of my many faults.
But let us look at the history and writings of one whom all will acknowledge was accepted of God. Paul in Phil. 3:12, 14, says concerning himself, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, . . . but this one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forth to the things which are before, I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God, in Christ Jesus.” And again in the fifteenth verse of the same chapter we read, “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect be thus minded.” Here is a seeming contradiction. He has just said that he was imperfect, and now he says, “Let as many as be perfect,” implying that there were perfect ones. Paul was probably as nearly perfect as any man then living, but when he compared his character, with that of Jesus, and realized his purity and holiness, he felt there were new conquests to make, and always would be as long as life should last.
This work of gaining perfection, is not a short work, but one that will continue while we live, and we shall be continually reaching forward for new attainments. But though Paul saw himself imperfect, he did not give up the contest in despair. Oh! no; he was looking forward to new conquests and victories over sin and the flesh. He did not sit down in discouragement, and think because he had once failed that he would give up the conflict, but with greater vigor he presses forward. He saw Jesus, in the distance; the prize, too at the end of the journey. No excuse for lagging behind; no time to sit down and bewail the misfortunes of the way.
This should be our position. Not that we should tolerate sin, but learn from the past wisdom for the future. Where we have made mistakes, strive to make right those mistakes, and take care that they do not again occur. This is all we can do. If we ever enter through the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem, it will be through the merits of Him who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. How unjust for us to become discouraged, to question the plans of the great Father, in regard to our welfare! Let us take all as coming from his hand, trusting fully and completely in his ability to bring us safe through, and thus we shall progress in the work of victory.
VESTA CADY.
Poy Sippi, Wis.
SMILE WHENEVER YOU CAN.
By Sel.
When things don’t go to suit you,
And the world seems upside down,
Don’t waste your time in fretting,
But drive away that frown.
Since life is oft’ perplexing,
It is the wisest plan
To bear all trials bravely,
And smile whenever you can.
Why should you dread to-morrow,
And thus spoil your to-day?
For when you borrow trouble,
You always have to pay.
It is a good old maxim,
Which should be often preached—
Don’t cross the bridge before you,
Until the bridge is reached.
You might be spared much sighing,
If you would keep in mind,
The thought that good and evil
Are always here combined.
There must be something wanting,
And though you roll in wealth,
You may miss from your casket
That precious jewel, health.
Though you are strong and sturdy,
Not full may be your purse,
(And earth has many trials
Which I consider worse)
But whether joy or sorrow,
Fill up your mortal span,
’Twill make your pathway brighter
To smile whene’er you can.
—Sel.
JEWS NOT EASILY CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY.
By Wm. Penniman
There are 5,000,000 Jews in Europe, and only about 220 missionaries employed. The annual expense of supporting these missions is £67,000.
The Rev. Josiah Miller, secretary of the London City Mission, says, “Modern Protestant Christian missions to the Jews began with the Society, which afterward divided into two parts—the larger, the ‘London Society,’ having at the present time an annual income of about £37,000, and 118 agents; the smaller, the ‘British Society,’ with 27 agents and an annual income of about £8,000. In addition to these, there is the mission of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, that of the Presbyterian Church in England, and that of the United Presbyterian Church in England. There are also several small societies on the continent and two very small ones in America. The London City Mission aids in the work, and there is some useful work due to individual Christian enterprise. London, with 30,000 Jews, has twelve missionaries; Warsaw, with 90,000 Jews, has only two or three missionaries; and large towns in Austria, Roumania, and Russia, with from 20,000 to 50,000 Jews each, have but one missionary each, and in some cases are wholly without Protestant teaching. The countries with large Jewish populations, and especially destitute of missionary effort at present, are America, where the Jews are increasing in numbers rapidly, Northern Africa, and especially Morocco, Arabia, and above all, Russia.”
The above is from the Independent of Feb. 15, 1877. The editor says, “Mr. Miller is not able to point to any very remarkable instances of success. In Rome, where a mission has existed every year, and been ‘conducted with zeal and ability,’ there is not yet a single convert. Perhaps the most successful work has been done in London where there have been 1,395 baptisms.”
It is no wonder that it is so difficult to convert the Jews to Christianity since it has become so perverted by heathenism, especially as to the Sabbath. In many cases, no doubt, they are required to renounce the true Sabbath for a spurious one. We hope missionaries will soon be sent to the Jews who will present to them the whole truth, accord and be in sympathy with them on the Sabbath question and other points of faith, and especially represent to them that the Sabbath reform is now moving on in harmony with the Old Testament prophecy; also present the beauty and harmony of the subject of the sanctuary in both the Old and New Testaments.
WM. PENNIMAN.
GOD'S LOVE AND MERCY.
By A. R. Fitch
When I contemplate the love, patience, and mercy of God toward the human race from the earliest period of its existence until the present day, feelings of sorrow fill my heart at the ingratitude manifested in return. How often in times of old he commissioned holy angels to come to earth to reprove men of sin and to warn them of threatened judgments! Prophets have been raised up to show men and nations what God's will was concerning them; and their warnings have not only been slighted, but in numerous cases the prophets themselves have been put to death.
But this was not enough. He let his own dear Son come to earth, take upon himself our human natures, endure, suffer, and die, that we might have life. But how cruelly he was treated by those that should have known the day of their visitation! Think for one moment of his sufferings here at the hands of sinful men. How he was mocked, scourged, spit upon, and put to death—the cruel death of the cross. No wonder nature robed herself in gloom, the veil was rent in twain, and the earth shook.
But he triumphed over death, and now offers his blood for the remission of sins. Reader, have you felt its regenerating power upon your heart? Have you found peace in believing on him? Have you learned to love and obey God's holy law? If so, well. If not, why not? Has he not done enough for you yet? Has not the sacrifice been great enough? Let me counsel you to be wise now for yourself. Do not let sin rule you, for the wages thereof is death, but seek ye the kingdom of God. Haste ere the hour of probation closes, ere the One that now pleads for us shall have finished his work in the sanctuary of Heaven, ere he puts on his kingly garments, and comes again, crowned “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Then it will be forever too late. Choose ye the narrow path that leads to life eternal.
A. R. FITCH.
ANOINTING BEFOREHAND FOR BURIAL.
By J. Russell Miller
When Mary broke the alabaster vase, and anointed her Lord, he said, “She is come beforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” A great many people would have kept the vase sealed up till he was dead, and would then have brought it out and broken it, to anoint the cold body, as it lay all gashed and wounded, wrapped in the burial garments. But Mary did not wait till he was dead. She brought out her ointment when he could enjoy its sweet perfume, and when his sore and weary feet could feel the delicious refreshment which it gave. A husband covered his wife’s coffin with flowers, and built a magnificent monument over her grave when she was dead, and spoke in glowing words of her noble sacrifices. But it was whispered that he had not been very kind to her when living. A daughter showed great sorrow at her mother’s funeral, and never could say enough in praise of her; but it was known that she had thrust many a thorn into her pillow while she was living.
Do not keep all the alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them, and while their hearts can be thrilled by them. The things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go. The flowers you mean to send for their coffins, send to brighten their homes before they leave them.
If my friends have alabaster boxes laid away full of perfumes of sympathy and affection, which they intend to break over my dead body, I would rather they would bring them out in my weary hours, and open them, that I may be refreshed and cheered by them while I need them. I would rather have a bare coffin without a flower, and a funeral without a eulogy, than a life without the sweetness of love and sympathy. Let us anoint our friends beforehand for their burial. Postmortem kindnesses do not cheer the burdened spirit. Flowers on the coffin cast no fragrance backward over the weary days.—By Rev. J. Russell Miller, in “Evangelist.”
The Surest Way of Being Deceived
THE surest way of being deceived is to think yourself cleverer and more cunning than anybody else.
THE SUPPLEMENT.
By James White
It is well known to those who have read the Review for several years, that there are persons who profess faith in the Sabbath and in the soon coming of the Lord, scattered in different parts of the country, that stand opposed to Seventh-day Adventists. This is no new thing. A few such persons have acted a part in connection with our history from the very first. And at different times, certain ones have issued sheets in different places, more or less devoted to reproaches and slanderous statements of our people.
They have followed our people with murmurings and misrepresentations of our faith and practices, with no other apparent design than to prejudice certain minds, tear them from our churches, and add them to their feeble numbers. Their course has shown that they have coveted contention and confusion, as an element in which they could best do their work of tearing down. And it has been thought best to leave them to themselves as far as possible, in the hope that they would become tired of their wicked course, and either go to work to convert men to what they regard as the truth of God, or settle down among themselves, and cease to put in print and otherwise circulate a perpetual tirade of reproaches against our people.
But our silence has evidently emboldened them. Our letting numerous statements of theirs pass, which were notorious for either deception, perversions, or downright untruths, has led them out to show their bitterness and reckless disregard for honesty and truth, to that degree that it seems duty to Elders Waggoner and Loughborough to expose certain of them in the accompanying supplement. And it is doing them no injustice to present these as a sample of the many false and malicious statements they publish against Seventh-day Adventists.
We do not expect that the course of these persons will be changed by the exposures made; for those who will write and publish that which they know to be untrue, to tarnish the reputation of innocent persons, have reached a point where reform is exceedingly doubtful. Facts are given for a double purpose,—that the minds of honest persons may be disabused relative to the slanders already published, and that those who wish to know the facts in the case may be shielded for time to come from the influence of those who set themselves deliberately at work to slander the servants of Christ, simply because of differences of opinion as to truth and duty.
J. W.
THE CHICAGO CONVENTION.
By C. W. S.
At the great “North West Convention” lately held at Chicago, the Constitutional-Amendment move received a hearty Godspeed from the lips of the eminent speakers who were present, and by the passing of resolutions by the convention.
Johnathan Edwards, D. D., in his speech made on the first day, said, “The Constitution does not name God, or make any reference to the people’s having knowledge of him, or any reverence for his name.”
He also made the following statements:—
“We also wish to put in some sort of a statement that the people who framed the Constitution acknowledged God as the Author of civil government, and revealed religion as the will of God to man. These amendments will not operate materially upon the body of the Constitution. We have a profound respect for that instrument, and are not disposed to tinker it, or tamper with its general scope. A vague allusion to the first day of the week needs touching, also another allusion to the oath of office.”
“There are several things for which the members of this Association labor: First, there must be a holy name, the holy name of God, the name that lifts men up above the things of earth, and gives them thoughts and aspirations after higher things than time and sense. Then there must be a holy day, the Sabbath, the day of rest, the day of worship; not that they wanted all men to go to church on that day, who had no desire to attend divine service, but rather that those who wanted to worship God might be allowed to do so, without disturbance, without the busy hum of trade breaking the solemn hours of worship, without the stir of commerce, without the rude disturbance of those who held the day in light repute, without the noise of machinery disturbing the house and service of God; this was the Sabbath they desired, and this was the Sabbath for which we labor.”
Prof. C. A. Blanchard, of Wheaton College, in the course of his remarks, said, “There must be a law; and that law must be something more than the changing ideas of a changing people. It must have an eternal truth behind it and through it to keep it, to make it morally binding, to enforce it as the will of God; and the only law is from God, and the only law from God which man has, is to be found in the Bible. And therefore to the Bible we must look for an interpretation of these great principles which must underlie national life, and which must be taken if a nation is to be successful in attaining the highest and best good to all.”
To the last sentence we respond, Amen. But let us look at the statements of these two men for a moment. The first says, “There must be a holy day, the Sabbath. We grant it. The second says we must look to the Bible for an interpretation of these great principles which must underlie national life. True again.”
Now let us look into the Bible, into that law to which Prof. B. refers. In the bosom of that law we read, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. . . . The Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Here we find just what Mr. Edwards wants,—“a holy day, the Sabbath,” God’s blessed, sanctified (Gen. 2:3), holy (Isa. 58:13) day, enforced by the “law from God,” which we find in the Bible. Now if Mr. Edwards wants a holy day, let him take this—it is the only one he will find; for God never placed his blessing on any other, never set apart any other day to holy use. You may search the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find where God has ever revoked that blessing, or removed it to any other day. Which will you do, accept God’s holy day, or repudiate his righteous law?
C. W. S.
THE ARK OF SAFETY.
By C. W. S.
One hundred and twenty years did Noah proclaim to a faithless world that God had purposed to destroy the world by a flood. But “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” They ridiculed the idea of a flood, and would not listen to the preaching of faithful Noah. The doctrine was very unpopular.
But this did not prevent the coming of the flood. When all things were ready, the Lord said unto Noah, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” They went in, and God shut the door of the ark. The religion that had so long been unpopular now began seriously to occupy the attention of the people. Rich and poor, high and low, old and young,—all very soon began to be deeply interested. They gathered around the ark, and begged to be admitted. But it was too late; their day of grace was ended, and God had shut the door.
Peter informs us that the heavens and the earth that now are, are to be destroyed by fire as the old world was by water. The evidences are multiplying that the time for this event is near. The warning has gone to nearly every nation on the earth—the ark is being built, even the ark of truth which applies to this time. “Seek righteousness; seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.”
“Oh! but this idea that the Lord is coming is so very unpopular.” Yes, so it is; and that is one good reason for thinking it to be true. Peter said that there should be a class of men in the last days, who would scoff at the doctrine of the second coming of Christ; and the prophets have warned us that the Saviour should come right in the midst of this peace-and-safety cry.
Our Lord himself has said that it should be in the last days as it was in the days of Noah. But the ark waiteth for us now, and if we would have an invitation in that great day to come into the ark, it becomes us to seek earnestly that righteousness which alone will prove our shield from the wrath of Him that shall come in the clouds of heaven. C. W. S.
FAITH
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
Faith is that exercise of the mind, which applies the word of God to ourselves. God’s promises are always conditional. The Scriptures do not recognize faith where the conditions are not complied with. When the conditions are complied with, faith appropriates the promised blessings, and thus they are realized. And by this means we become “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” God quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were, from the fact that his word is immutable. “He spake, and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast.” The fiat of the Almighty goes forth, and then exists that which he has spoken. It exists because he has spoken.
The apostle describes faith as follows: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” The world was not made, therefore, from any thing that is seen, or does appear. But God spake, and something existed as the result of his word, which did not exist previously. Faith credits this, believes it, does not doubt or reason, but at once acts as though it was so. “Casting down reasonings (margin), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
It has ever been an effort of Satan to separate faith from works. When he fails to lead men to renounce God and the Bible, he enters the church of Christ, and exalts faith in Christ to the exclusion of works. When the law of God is enforced, frequently we hear it said, “You are to be saved by works, but we by faith.” Words in James 2 are a rebuke upon all such. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith and I have works. Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2: 14-26.
The works of faith are in harmony with divine law. We may not always comprehend the workings of that law; and with childlike simplicity we can only believe, and move forward. But to refuse to do any thing because we believe, would be as inconsistent as it would have been for those who were raised from the dead to refuse to breathe because they were raised by the power of God.
If faith in the blood of Christ gives the sinner a pardon for his sins, it is that he sin no more. If the faith that does this does not lead the sinner to a life of obedience, his works in the day of Judgment will prove the faith of no more avail than it would be to manifest great sympathy for the naked and hungry without taking steps to relieve them. When God hears prayer for the sick, it is that the life thus preserved may be in harmony with the laws of their being, which are God’s laws. There are no persons who can exercise faith with such assurance as can those who are seeking to live in harmony with all of God’s laws, both physical and moral.
Faith is therefore a handmaid to works; and the character of the works reveal the nature of the faith. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”141
Faith is mighty. It has “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.” By it, “women received their dead raised to life again,” and every mighty work has been and can be accomplished by faith; but it always is found in the path of obedience. Hence it is a clear conception of what is right, with a heart ever ready to walk therein, that enables men to walk with God, and prepares them finally to be taken to the realms of glory, where faith is lost in sight, and prayer in praise. S. N. HASKELL.
CAUSE ON THE PACIFIC COAST.
By James White
There are at least one thousand souls in California, Oregon, and Washington Territory, who observe the Bible Sabbath, and are in full sympathy with the views and labors of Seventh-day Adventists. The brethren on the Pacific Coast have had trials similar to those suffered in all new fields. And during the last two years, with the exception of the past six months, our people in California have passed a very critical period in their history. At times we feared that many would not stand the shaking that seemed to be going on.
But at their last camp-meeting the Lord worked among his people graciously, the fog passed over, the brethren saw the real state of things clearly, and since that time unity and prosperity have been seen in all the churches, and good success has attended the labors of our ministers. These trials have relieved the cause, in the full and final disposition of a few fault-finders, and have given the brethren a good experience, which is now seen in a strong desire to maintain unity.
And we are happy to report that valuable additions in California alone, above all valueless losses during the past two years, are at least one hundred and fifty souls. During these two years of trial, Elders Healy and Wood, two young men of promise, have entered the ministry, become successful laborers, and received ordination. California now has, including Elders Loughborough and Waggoner, six ordained ministers, besides ten who have received papers from the Conference to speak publicly, and five to go out as tract distributers, and teachers in private families. The Biblical Institute held at Oakland, Cal., called out the real talent and feeling of more than a score of valuable young men. These to a great extent represent the state of things in California. Eld. Smith has freely expressed his delight on witnessing, during the period of his lectures, a state of perfect unity and general good cheer in the Lord, throughout the members of his class.
Experience has taught us, and the feeling is deepening, that hope of gathering souls to the standard of truth is in our young men. May God lead these on the Pacific Coast out into fields where success shall crown their efforts. Would these young men see a large membership, then let them buckle on the armor, and go out, and gather souls from the mountains and valleys of the Pacific Coast. This will bring s. d. into the treasury for the support of the ministry, and patrons to sustain the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
The press was established at Oakland, Cal., none too soon. It was done before the pressure of hard times, just at the right time. Our work is nearly done here. There is not a single discouragement resting upon this field. God has given us W. N. Glenn, an experienced and able printer, at the Office of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. The brethren appreciate the liberal patronage of Eastern T. and M. Societies. Our circulation is nearly 7,000. But the Pacific Press must learn to go alone before it shall be one year older. The Southern field must be opened. Our eye is on the Shenandoah Valley for the Atlantic Press for the South, and Eastern T. and M. patronage. When this shall be done, where, and just how, are questions to be settled in the near future.
J. W.
THE BIBLICAL INSTITUTE IN OAKLAND, CAL.
By Uriah Smith
This Institute closed on the evening of April 17. The whole number of members composing the class was forty-seven. Of these, eight were prevented by various circumstances from attending regularly, leaving a steady attendance of thirty-nine. The amount of matter presented to the class was equal to sixty-four ordinary lectures. Some of the most important subjects were presented by Bro. White, who attended and took part in the work as other duties would permit.
The subjects set forth were earnestly studied by the class, who gave evidence that they had come to work, and to make the most of the present opportunity; and the interest continued unflagging to the close.
The last two days three sessions were held each day, during which the time was largely occupied by Bro. and Sr. White in giving instruction to the class of a practical nature, touching the best methods of study and labor, and the course to be pursued by those who labor in public or private in the sacred cause of present truth. This was most timely, and was highly appreciated by the class.
The happy close of the exercises on the evening of the 17th, will be ever remembered as a fitting termination of this pleasant occasion. After a brief ordination discourse by Bro. White, Brn. J. L. Wood and John Judson were solemnly set apart to the work of the gospel ministry, Brn. White, Loughborough, and Waggoner officiating. Prayer by Bro. Waggoner, charge by Bro. White. Licenses were also granted to six others, and still four others received a limited license to go out as tract distributers and to engage in religious visiting, Bible reading, &c., as opportunities may offer. These brethren design to give themselves to the work, and we see no reason why they may not generally become efficient workmen in the cause. This is a good showing for the progress of this work in California.
Some expressed gratitude for new light received on points not before clearly understood; while in the number in attendance, and in the general satisfaction expressed, the expectations of all were more than met. In the benefits already apparent, and the good results which bid fair to follow, the judgment of Bro. White in calling for this Institute in California at this time, is fully vindicated. U. S.
A RIGHT EXPERIENCE NEEDED.
By Albert Stone
It is not so much what we feel as what we do that makes up the true Christian character. Evidence of conversion based on feeling is not to be trusted. No man will risk the success of worldly interests on mere feeling. The men of the world know that oft’ repeated blows struck in the right place, at the right time, are what give success. There is a feeling that is in harmony with Christianity, and there is a feeling that is opposed to Christianity; but if they are not strong enough to ripen into action, they are comparatively of little account.
There are too few who act on the principle that the philosophy of success in religion is the same as the philosophy of success in worldly business. It is the diligent hand that maketh rich. The man whose heart is set on wealth lays himself out for its attainment. He spares no pains, makes ventures, toils early and late, with watchful care and diligence. Success is the result. Two things account for his success: 1st, God has given him the requisite talent; 2nd, He has improved the talent given. The road that leads to eternal life is just as simple as the road to wealth, and more so, for all may have eternal life who will, but all cannot be rich. But if you cannot afford to be a co-worker with God in the salvation of your soul, you might as well give it up, for such is God’s only method of salvation. God will not do the work he has assigned to you to do. It is yours to work in the Lord’s vineyard, both in your own interest and that of others.
True Christian experience is progressive. It seeks no leisure, nor permits any this side of final victory. Some mistake by supposing that religion consists chiefly in a happy frame of mind, and that this is to be sought as one of its chief excellencies. Where in the Bible do we read of prophets’ or apostles’ seeking a happy frame of mind? True religion seeks rather to bear burdens and imitate Christ, the Man of sorrows. If we do not sympathize with Christ’s temptations and sufferings, it is because we have no part in him. If we do not mourn, weep, hunger, thirst, labor, and suffer with Christ, it is because our hearts are not right with God. If you are not deeply convicted by the law of God that you have been a great sinner, then your experience lacks an important ingredient. If in addition to this you are yet proud, selfish, and unreformed in your life and conduct, then there is another important element wanting.
The most reliable evidence of true conversion must rest, not on what we have been, but on what we are now. Does your faith overcome the world to-day? Are you constant in secret prayer to-day? Have you the spirit of sacrifice, of love, of consecration, to-day? Do you prize communion with God and the fellowship of the Spirit above all earthly good to-day? Do you earnestly desire, and are you striving to obtain, a deeper and more satisfactory experience in the things of God? Are you nearer Heaven to-day in your spirit and temper, in your desires and pursuits, than you were one year ago? Are you cheerfully doing your Bible duty in tithes and offerings? and are you personally doing what you ought to save others? Are your examples worthy of imitation? Do you habitually think of God as your loving Father, reconciled through Christ? Is your mind drawn out to thank God for his great goodness? Do you love the appearing of Christ, and long to see him coming in the clouds of heaven? It is too late to trifle with these things. Let the people all awake.
Many, perhaps most, who read this writing will not taste of death till the Son of man is come. It was said that after the declaration of American independence, the struggle to obtain it tried men’s souls. And so it was. History speaks of great sacrifice and suffering by the American soldiers. They proudly beat the time to martial music, as they marched over frozen ground with bare and bleeding feet. Their motto was, “Give me liberty, or give me death.” They had an object in view that would pay, though they sacrificed and suffered much to obtain it. The same principle must govern Christian soldiers if they would obtain the victory and the reward.
The conflict into which the people of God are now advancing will be the most trying of any they have ever engaged in. The present generation have been brought up delicately, and are poorly prepared, without rigid discipline, to meet those things that are coming upon the earth. Many professed Sabbath-keepers have little or no experience of enduring hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. They have been inactive, and left others to do the work and bear the burdens. They have not made it their daily business to seek the Lord, and to lay up treasure in Heaven. They have too much neglected secret prayer and self-examination. They have not heeded the testimony to the Laodicean church. They have not overcome the world. Such should be greatly alarmed, and make the most of the little time that remains to get a deep and solid Christian experience that will stand the test of those terrible trials and temptations that every child of God must meet just before the Lord comes.
“The hour of temptation” is what will try men’s souls. This lies right in the pathway of the remnant church—no one can get round it. Let us therefore try to understand the necessities of the case, and put forth every possible effort in the strength of the Lord, to be ready for those things that are so soon to come on the earth, for the great day of his wrath is coming, and who shall be able to stand?