Practical Thoughts on Scripture Subjects.
By John Nevins Andrews
WE have to experience much pain in this life in parting with our dearest friends, yet duty plainly demands the sacrifice, and we must cheerfully make it for Christ’s sake. But all these seasons of separation are of no account, when we consider the events before us. We separate now, hoping to meet again in this life; or if not in235this life, then in the kingdom of God. But when the final decision of the Judgment is rendered, then there will be a separation so terrible that no words can express it: some to everlasting life, and some to the pains of the second death. Parents and children and friends must separate to meet no more. How will it be with us in that day? We must confess our sins. Our own good demands this. The honor of God and the interests of his cause do also demand it. But when we confess our sins, we must not mix with it the justification of ourselves. Nor should we be so general and indefinite that there shall be no humiliation on our part. We must make clean work of putting away our sins. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us. We must never be satisfied till the Spirit of God witnesses with our spirits. It is better to humble ourselves with genuine repentance than to go on unhumbled to the Judgment. There every knee will bow, but it will be too late. Let us attend to this work while it will be possible for us to put away our sins. J. N. A.