C. LAWTON by C. LAWTON

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 29, 1867

C. LAWTON

By C. LAWTON

From Sister Lawton.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Do we realize as we ought the time in which we live, the position we occupy in the church, and the fearful responsibility that rests upon us as a people? As light increases, our responsibility increases in proportion. Fearful thought! The more light we receive, if not lived out, the greater our condemnation. Our faith, if lived out, would constitute us the peculiar people which God is to redeem from all iniquity, and purify unto himself. But is the spirit of entire consecration to God resting upon us? Are we living to please and glorify God in all things? Or are we living to please self, to gratify a perverted appetite, seeking for pleasure in the things of this world? and when we offer a sacrifice, is it reluctantly? Such God will not accept. Are we not living in a time when Luke xxi, 34, applies to us? “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”

But where is that hungering and thirsting after righteousness, that burden of soul for purity of heart, that panting after God “as the heart pants after the water brooks”? Where is that living, acting faith that takes God at his word, and brings down his blessing, and a full salvation? Will God accept our formal prayers, or exhortations, or our good resolves, unless he sees we have fully decided to live them out, let it cost what it may? Never was there a time when we needed decision of character more than now; a fixed purpose to serve God with all the heart, let the consequences be what they may. I never saw the time since I came into the truth when I felt there was so much need of earnest efforts to be put forth by the church, to resist the influence which Satan is casting over us as now. It is truly alarming to see what a lukewarm state we are in! neither cold nor hot. How offensive in the sight of God! He says, “I would that ye were either cold or hot, but because ye are neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” I fear God will not bear with us much longer if we do not exert ourselves to get out of this state. The cause of God, is it not calling loudly unto us for our sympathy and faith? Is it not time we humbled ourselves with fasting and prayer before God? Should not the minister of God weep between the porch and the altar, and cry, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thy heritage to reproach: wherefore should they say among the people, where is their God? May God baptize his servants afresh with his Holy Spirit, that they may give the trumpet a certain sound, cry aloud and spare not, that their testimony to the church may be pure, straight, and attended with the Spirit and power of God.

I believe we are in the shaking time, and all that will not give heed to the straight testimony I fear will be shaken out. Will any be so unwise as to lose eternal life, rather than deny self, and walk in the narrow way? How much better to give all for Christ, and escape the second death, receive the gift of immortality, and have an inheritance on the New Earth. This is my choice, and through divine aid I hope will be my portion.

C. LAWTON

Adams' Center, N. Y.