H. C. MILLER by H. C. MILLER

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 25, 1868

H. C. MILLER

By H. C. MILLER

From Bro. Miller.

BRO. SMITH: I have often thought it to be my duty to contribute a few lines to the Conference Department, but hitherto have perhaps been thinking too much in regard to self, have been too largely engrossed in contemplating my own short-comings, and my failures to come up to that perfect standard of holiness as set forth in the law, so that I could have no heart to write. While thinking thus I have been wretched indeed, and cast down, and desponding, and though I longed, with groanings unutterable to be what God requires, yet my distance from the mark has made me almost to conclude at times that I might as well give up. Is the reason of this a lack of faith? Is it because of a failure to draw comfort and encouragement from the promises? I know that in the darkest of those dark moments, sometimes a ray of comfort comes in the shape of a word of promise, as “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons,” &c. “Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees.” “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God.” “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” “I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee.” “My grace is sufficient for thee.” “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

But then comes the thought of past sins again, and the weakened bodily powers, and the feeble mind, and will, the irresolution, the forgetfulness, and the multitude of daily inconsistencies between the life and profession, and the heart sinks again and hope trembles, and disquietude again gets the dominion. Then comforting is the hope begotten by these words, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust.” Ps. ciii, 13, 14. “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” I take courage again by these.

Brethren may we “run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author (or beginner) and finisher of our faith,” forgetting not that the Lord knows all our weakness and is plenteous in mercy.

“The pity of the Lord, To them that fear his name, Is such as tender parents feel; He knows our feeble frame.”

H. C. MILLER

Monroe, Wis.