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Good Counsel

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 30, 1866

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 28, No. 22.

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Good Counsel.

By Wm. Buckland

[BRO. WHITE: The following words are extracts taken from the writings of Leigh Richmond, called, “Counsel to his Children.” If you deem them worthy of a place in your paper, please give them one. WM. BUCKLAND.]
1. Aim at keeping a devoted heart for God, in the least and most common transactions of every hour, as well as in the events which may seem to call the loudest for manifestation of religious conscience and principle.
2. Pray regularly and frequently, not seldom and occasionally, for grace to live and die by.
3. Form no hasty intimacies, and none whatever but such as may promote seriousness of heart, tongue, and demeanor.
4. Beware of cheerfulness degenerating into levity, and ignorance of the world into prejudice.
5. Guard against hasty judgment of character, and above all, the hasty uttering of sentiments, and making remarks to the disparagement of others.
6. Particularly avoid making the errors, failings, faults or follies of good people, either in private or public matters, the subject of rash or unguarded remarks. Be known for charity, forbearance, and kindness.
7. Keep Christ’s golden rule, Luke vi, 31, in perpetual remembrance; it is the panacea for most of the evils of life, so far as they are connected with social intercourse.
8. Be conscientious toward all, friendly with few, intimate with fewer still, strictly confidential with fewest of all.
9. Be not contented with anything short of deep, devoted, diligent, decided seriousness. Make not the too numerous, half-hearted, decent, but dubious, Christians your pattern for imitation. Set your mark and standard very high, and aim deliberately to regulate your conduct by it.
10. I trust you are taught in the school of Christ. Rely not, however, on the past privileges of education, but seek present evidences, such as will comfort you under sudden alarms and distresses, should they occur. Try to get acquainted with yourself by a review of your whole life, and often carry to the Lord in prayer and confidence, the results of examination into your heart and conduct.
11. Adhere most scrupulously to truth, and labor to preserve the strictest integrity, simplicity, and sincerity.
12. Engage in no pursuit in which you cannot look up unto God and say, Bless me in this, O my Father!
13. Strive to be as kind, forbearing, and forgiving as you can, both to friend and foe.
14. Never speak evil of any one on any pretense whatever.
15. Strive to recommend religion by the courtesy, civility, and condescending character of your conduct.
16. Watch against irritations, positiveness, unkind speaking, and anger. Study to promote love.
17. Mortify lust, sensuality, and sloth.
18. Never allow others to speak well of you; nor especially, yourself to say or think anything of yourself but as poorly done. Keep down pride; let it not be indulged in for a moment; and watch against it.
19. Shut out evil imaginations and angry thoughts.
20. Let it be your sole business here to prepare for eternity. Consider every moment of time in that view.
21. Remember that you have to contend with a legion of devils, a heart full of deceit and iniquity, and a world at enmity with God.
22. Pray that you may ever rejoice in the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, and the salvation of sinners; and labor in every way to promote these objects.
23. Prayer is the only weapon which can subdue your corruptions, and keep your evidences bright. Cultivate prayer.