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The Present Truth,

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 25, 1866

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 28, No. 17.

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The Present Truth,

By H. S. GURNEY

BRO. WHITE: I am fully determined to make God my refuge, and present truth my buckler and shield. I rejoice exceedingly that I have found a system of truth so clear and harmonious, that a flood of ungodly men cannot shake its foundation in the least. Every attempt against present truth, only brightens its luster. There is something extremely elevating in the firm reception of present truth. By faith it exalts to Heaven and views the promised inheritance with exceeding joy. If it be joy to contemplate such things, “what must it be to be there?” I feel so glad, viewing every evidence of our Lord’s return to earth, that I at once set about the work of preparing to receive him. What! to see Jesus in his glory, and the additional glory of his Father, and all the angels with him, and to be changed into his image, to share in his glory, and the inheritance forever! The thought is inconceivably glorious and incomprehensible.
If I did not believe it to be a sin to doubt such exceeding great and precious promises, I could easily doubt that they reached to one so entirely unworthy as myself. But seeing God has given his Son, will he not give all things. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things.”
The thoughts now rush back from the reward to the work of overcoming. The word implies a great struggle, and much striving. To this work I must apply with all diligence, that my calling and election may be made sure. I believe there is no danger of committing ourselves too firmly upon the evidences that bring our Lord’s return near, even at the door. It should be a settled fact with us, and then duties involving a preparation naturally follow.
Did the Antediluvians believe Noah’s preaching? No; they went on and perished! Did the Sodomites believe Lot’s preaching? No; they went on and perished! Did the Jewish nation believe John’s message as the forerunner of Christ? No; so they shall likewise perish! Now God is giving a message to the world that the Lord is coming. Is it safe to believe? I do not guess in this, I know it is safe. I therefore believe, and it works well. It leads to a solemn inquiry, What shall I do to be saved? Then the third angel speaks with a loud voice and tells us plainly what not to do, and what to do. In all this, have we no reason to praise the Lord? Yea, we have reason to praise him with all our hearts.
H. S. GURNEY. Memphis, Mich.