p. 6 | UP-HILL BUSINESS by E. M. Brant

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 23, 1868

UP-HILL BUSINESS.

By E. M. Brant

Sometime last fall, as I was riding to a little Sabbath gathering, in company with two others of like faith, we met a Baptist brother, who, in his remarks, made the following observation: “I think you will find it up-hill business, keeping the seventh day for the Sabbath.” I thought as we passed on, Surely we do. I have often thought of the remark since, and soliloquized thus:

Up-hill business, is it, to follow Christ? Well, he says, John xii, 26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me.” Did he keep the seventh-day Sabbath? None deny that he did. Was it not up-hill business all the way from the manger to the grave? I understand the term to signify hard labor—toiling on, with difficulties to be overcome. Was it not hard for him to come to his own, and have his own receive him not? Was it not hard to toil, hungry and thirsty, without where to lay his head? to have his acts of mercy attributed to Satan? Twenty years of self-denying toil for those he came to save, was not easy; but the steepest part of the ascent was left for the end of his journey, when his soul was troubled, and, with the sins of the world laid upon him, he ascended Olivet, there to agonize till he sweat, as it were, great drops of blood falling to the ground. The top of the hill was not yet gained. He must be scourged, mocked, spit upon, crowned with thorns, set at naught, and then bear his own cross up Calvary’s hill, till he faint under it; and yet the top was not reached. Ah! who shall attempt to describe the anguish of soul and body, as on the cross he hung, for man’s redemption? No wonder the heavens became sackcloth, and the rocks rent! Surely it was up-hill business for the Lord of glory thus to live and die. Be astonished, O my soul, and wonder and adore; but faint not at the difficulties of the way. Though thy name be cast out as evil; though thy kindred and former friends despise thee; follow Christ in seeking to do good to others. Though thy motives be impugned and attributed to the movings of Satan, weary not in thy efforts; for thou bearest not the cross alone—Jesus is near to sustain thee. Though the hill sometimes appears steep, it vanishes at the sight of the steeper hills of Calvary and Gethsemane. But what is to be the end of those who have no hill to climb? who travel in roads made smooth and easy to popular opinion? Are they followers of Christ as dear children? Surely we wish them well, but would choose for ourselves the narrow way—the way of the cross, having fellowship with the sufferings of Christ, that we may be partakers of his glory. E. M. BRANT.

Faribault Co., Minn.