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EARNEST TIMES

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 5, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 33, No. 2.

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EARNEST TIMES.

By S. R. LINDSLEY

“We live in earnest times. There never was a period which called for so much earnestness as now. It is a time when old and young should be in earnest to put down their evil passions,” &c. I was deeply impressed with these words from a public speaker who was addressing a Sunday School not long since. Ah! thought I, we who differ from you in so many points of faith, agree with you in this, but doubtless from very different premises. His reasons evidently were that the rising generation might grow up good and virtuous, and in future years nobly fill the places of their fathers in the drama of life.
If all things were to continue as they were from the beginning of the creation, his reasoning would be well. But our reasons are far different. We do not share with such in their fond hopes. The youth of our land, as a mass, are anything but noble or lovely. The “last days” and “perilous times” have come, and all the train of evil characteristics described by the apostle to Timothy, can be plainly discerned.
“We live in earnest times.” Yes, indeed. A world lying in wickedness; the professed church “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God;” the few who are striving to repair the breach in the law of God, are looking for his Son from Heaven, to end all earthly kingdoms, and understand the last delusion of Satan, whereby he will deceive, if it were possible, the very elect,—these are lukewarm. Having a correct faith, they are “rich, and increased with goods.” They know not the depth of their poverty.
Long have they heard the counsel of the True Witness, but a stupor has been upon them, which has prevented them from fully heeding it. Truly, “there never was a period which called for so much earnestness as now.” The Faithful Witness is about to spue out of his mouth those who heed not his counsel. What art thou doing, O, my soul? Canst thou not be zealous in the work of repentance and reform? Canst thou not be earnest when the hours of probation are so swiftly hastening to their close? And if they were not, couldst thou not devote to God the short span of life? Oh! I will try to be in earnest to save my own soul, and scatter some rays of light to perishing souls around me. I am thankful that all may do this. May God bless the silent messengers to the enlightening of some minds, and help us all to be in earnest.
S. R. LINDSLEY.