Watch by F. M. Bragg

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 17, 1866

Watch.

By F. M. Bragg

Our Saviour very frequently enjoins this duty upon his followers. First, to watch against evil in our own hearts; second, to watch for the signs of Christ's second coming. With what importance have the many admonitions to watch, stamped upon our minds the duty to keep our hearts with all diligence, lest the spirit of truth leak out, even while we have the theory. "Keep the heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." Prov. iv, 24. This is comparatively an easy work when all is favorable and pleasant around us, but under adverse circumstances, we often find it difficult to feel and do right, just as we wish to feel and do, when we meet frowns and unkindness from those, even those, from whom we merit and expect the opposite. And when we feel the effect of those who act the liar's part, we experience the necessity of greater strength than human to keep the heart. But if we love as Jesus loved his murderers, we can love the ungrateful, and untrue, and how easily we can forgive the injury intended; often is the evil visited upon the offender.

It is truly God-like to show love and mercy to the erring: nature and human-like to love those only who love and treat us kindly; but truly Satan-like to abuse those who have never had ill toward us. When we receive such abuse, we need the love that the Saviour bore, that we may in perfect patience and forbearance, keep our hearts from murmuring. I have often felt the uprising of a complaining spirit against cruel injustice. This has shut out the sweet peace I could have felt, it has hindered me from exercising that faith in the precious promises, which would have sweetly sustained me in trial and affliction, I would, in future, bear all the ills I meet, knowing that all will work for my good if I love God, and his grace is sufficient for me in every time of need.

I feel to praise the Lord for his great goodness toward me, unworthy as I am. I have, thus far, been able to stand firm and unshaken on the precious truth. I rejoice in his love to-day. The Lord has ever had a tender care for me. At times when every earthly hope has failed, and all seemed dark and forbidding around me, he has opened some unexpected way for my relief. My life is spared, and my health at the present is better than for many years. The health-reform is doing a good work among us. The naturally strong, will be greatly benefited. The naturally weak and sickly must reap some benefit. I have found the latter true in my case, the three years passed, as I have been learning to live agreeably to the laws of my being. We have adopted the two-meal system, mostly of grains and fruits, and simply-cooked vegetables. I find that disease has less hold upon my weak system. I do not wish to expect more than can be accomplished for me. I know not as my slight constitution can ever become healthy. I would hold myself submissive to the will of my heavenly Father, in whatever he pleases, that I may devote the remainder of my life more perfectly to his service, to the honor and glory of his holy name.

F. M. BRAGG.

Cambridge, Wis.