p. 15 | Refiner's Fire by M. E. W.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 6, 1869

Refiner's Fire.

By M. E. W.

The refiner puts the metal in a crucible over his furnace, builds underneath it a fire and melts it, consuming the dross, then examines it, and if it is not yet pure, he blows up the coals to increase the heat, sitting meanwhile, and watching it with great care; for if it is suffered to remain beyond a certain point, it will be materially injured. So he watches carefully till it will clearly and perfectly reflect the image of his face; then he knows it is pure.

Thus God deals with us. He sees in us a little gold, mingled with much impurity and dross. He wants to love it, but cannot without purging away the dross. Then he builds underneath us, in his furnace, a gentle flame; he keeps watch of us; again and again he finds it necessary to increase the heat. But, ah! how poorly many of us bear this purifying process! We say we want to be purified from every thing displeasing to God; but when the fires kindle upon us, we often cry out that the heat is too great; we cannot endure it; we feel that the trial is too hard, or that it is not the right kind of trial. But is not our Refiner all-wise? Does he not know what is best? Yes, he alone knows what will best fit us up to be one of his jewels. The love of our kind Father in Heaven is great toward his erring children. He tells us that he does not willingly afflict nor grieve the children of men; but notwithstanding his great love, he must also deal justly with us. He must purify us, however painful the process may be. Then when he builds a fire about us, instead of trying to get away, we should only cry out for patience to endure; for not one moment will he leave us in the furnace longer than is necessary. When the dross is all consumed, and we reflect his lovely image, he will bring us forth. Then let us endure patiently what God in his wisdom sees best to lay upon us. If the spirit be only willing, he will strengthen the weak, shrinking flesh. And let us ever remember that our tender Father is about the work; for like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. If we thus endure the refining process, we shall shine ere long as his precious jewels, fitted for the heavenly casket. If we would only diligently search our hearts, and then be thorough in correcting the evils we see there, we would not so often oblige the Lord to lay his chastening hand upon us. He is doing all that he can for us; are we doing all we can for ourselves? Some of us, no doubt, are having our last chance now. This is a painful thought. But we may have eternal life if we will earnestly and continually strive for it. I feel my unworthiness, my weakness, and sinfulness. When I look at the errors of my past life, I am heartsick. I trust God will not leave me, but that he will work for me still. Eternal life looks precious to me; I will strive to obtain it, let it cost what it will.

M. E. W.