A COMPARISON by R. M. KILGORE.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1867

A COMPARISON.

By R. M. KILGORE.

We have often thought while contemplating the actions of God's people, in these last days, and their journey through this world of temptation and sin, that a forcible comparison might be drawn between them and an army, on a long, difficult march, through a mountainous country diversified with many streams and marshes.

It is the custom, where long columns are on the march, to change, alternately, the positions of the different Divisions, Brigades and Regiments, from the front to the rear each day; those marching in front one day, taking the rear the next. As it is much easier to march in front, each soldier rejoices when he can march at the head of his company and regiment; but he is not permitted to advance farther than his proper place, or ahead of his commanding officer.

It is easier: 1. where a stream is to be crossed, a narrow defile to be passed, or an obstructed road, where but a few can pass at once, those in the rear will, of course, be hindered, and obliged to stand and wait until those ahead shall move forward; and the farther they are toward the rear of the column, the longer they must wait, while the space between them and those in front is increasing. When they have passed, in order to get in their proper places again, they must double-quick or run. 2. When the command to halt and rest is given, those in front are seated at once and resting, while those far in the rear have scarcely time to close up their ranks, and be seated, until the command “forward march” is given, when they must “fall in” their proper order again. 3. It frequently happens that many miles intervene where water cannot be had, which, when it is reached, those in front have the first opportunity to quench their thirst, and replenish their canteens with cool and sparkling water, and again resume their journey; while those in the rear come up almost famished for want of water; but those before them have so soiled the watering place and roiled the water with filth and mud, that it is not fit for use; or perhaps they have used it all up, so that their comrades are compelled to do without until they can reach a larger supply, and 4. When night comes on, those in front immediately go into camp, prepare and eat their supper, then lie down, and are sound asleep, enjoying rest; while those in the rear are still marching toward camp where they arrive hours later than their more lucky companions.

Again, there are a class of soldiers who are unruly, and do not like to be governed. Every opportunity they have, will violate the rules of the army. They leave the ranks, become stragglers, and engage in pilfering houses of jewelry and such like. They venture upon the enemy's ground; and are loitering carelessly along their way, until the army is out of sight; when the enemy, who follows in its wake, overtakes, captures, and holds them as prisoners.

The people of God are marching toward Mt. Zion. When they started for the kingdom, each one felt determined to go through. When they received the

light of present truth, they saw a beauty and harmony in God's word they never had seen before. They loved it, and rejoiced in it. They thought the way was clear and plain before them. They could see no mountains, chasms, rivers or narrow defiles in their route. They were sure that they could march in the front rank. They thought the truth so plain that they could make every body see it, and were astonished that they had not seen it before. They wondered why their teachers were so blind that they had not found it out. They felt as though they had had a resurrection to a new life. God blessed them as they stepped out upon his truth, against the world, and obeyed him by keeping all of his commandments.

But they had received the theory of the truth, they must now be tested and proved. He has always tried his people to see if they will be faithful or not. What is a trial for one is no test for another, and as every one must be proved, the Lord provides various tests, by which he proves them.

It has always been his plan to have men of his own choice, to lead his people, and he requires them to follow. He promises them blessings if they will but hear his voice, and advance with those whom he has called to go before. With some this is a trial. They cannot humble themselves enough to be led by others. They think more highly of themselves than they ought to think, and feel that they have a right to be placed at the head of the cause, where they can use the talents given them. But it generally happens that they possess no such gift; and because they are not so highly honored they make a strike, leave the ranks, and endeavor to draw with them those that they can lead. They venture upon the enemy's ground, who receives them and urges them forward in the work he has for them to do.

As God told his people in the past to move forward, in order to have them a peculiar people, and separate from those around them, they were called upon to organize. Here was a stream some could not cross, they halted and fell back, while others in faith moved forward, crossed over, and left the others in the rear, where they still remain.

They soon came to the hill of Systematic Benevolence, where many fell out of the front rank, and are yet in the rear. Those in front have ascended the hill, where they have received the blessing of God, not only in basket and in store, but by the influence of his Holy Spirit. They have been blessed in seeing the message spread, and others embrace it, until it has gained its present strength and magnitude. They see it now standing upon a firm foundation. It is not stayed in its onward march for lack of means. They stand aloof from festivals, donation-parties, and christianized gambling to raise means in order to sustain and spread the everlasting gospel of the kingdom. They choose to adopt the plain, and only scriptural mode, the tithing system, for the advancement of this great work.

Next they come to that which appears to some a great mountain, the Health Reform. Some are a little in the rear, and it appears to them insurmountable. They come up to it and fall back. They see that they must climb over craggy tea, coffee, tobacco, and other hurtful and injurious articles which have so long been in the way, that they were not able to keep their place in the front rank. They can see nothing beautiful on the summit. Their idols have blinded their eyes, and they love to have it so. Death they think stares them in the face, if they eat but two meals per day; or colds and sickness if they have proper ventilation. They are thus left far in the rear, and receive only that which those in front have trodden under foot and refused, having taken the best as they passed by.

But where are those who were in front? Why, they saw no mountain. They marched forward, and found it but a vast plain. On it were growing no poisonous nor filthy weed, nor tea nor coffee, pepper nor hurtful condiments. The animals also enjoyed life. They found that the sun was not veiled; but they basked in its light. The breath of life was not shut out from them; but they enjoyed its free use. These they found were granted unto them freely. They saw that their motto was no longer “work! work!” that they could enjoy seasons of rest, when they could serve the Creator, and not the creature. As they advanced they felt their diseases, aches, and pains leaving them, and in return buoyancy of spirit, and glow of health, the greatest earthly blessings. Thus those in front accepted the offered mercies, not given by commandment, or way of urging, but to obtain the blessing resulting from such a course of life, and habits; by obeying the laws of their being which God implanted, and cleansing the temple for the indwelling of his Holy Spirit; which will be poured more copiously upon those who are ready to receive it.

In one respect these two armies are not comparable. The first, while on the march, is compelled to follow a narrow road, through forests, over hills and valleys, so that but very few can march in the front rank, but are compelled to follow after each other; thus the column sometimes extends many miles in length; while in this army, it is the privilege of every soldier to march in the front rank, as in the above, when in line of battle, each walking side by side, and shoulder to shoulder with his brother, by grace surmounting every obstacle that the enemy may place before him, and thus gain the victory. It is their privilege to keep pace with the progress of the third message. They have every encouragement to press forward toward the prize. From the history of the past they can learn what to look for in the future. God's dealings with his people are the same in all ages; but the work which we have to do is more solemn and important than all others. Do we realize it? Do we realize the extent of the troubles before us? Are we making sufficient preparations to be shielded in the great day of wrath, gloominess and thick darkness? Do our lives always correspond with the exalted privileges we enjoy and the truth we profess? Oh! may it be said of us in that day, “well done,” “enter in.”

Then let us, if we are not marching in the front, make haste and catch up. There is danger in the rear. The enemy is on the alert, if we linger he will overtake us, and then all is lost. We see it is those who are up at every point that receive the blessings God is pleased to bestow upon his faithful children. Those too are all that will be able to enter into that rest which God hath prepared for his people. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Heb. x, 35-39.

R. M. KILGORE.

Fayette, Iowa, Aug. 16, 1867.