A THOUGHT by Sarah J. Wakeling

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 26, 1867

A THOUGHT

By Sarah J. Wakeling

For Those Who are Passing Through Much Tribulation.

“In the world ye shall have tribulation. What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.

Trench, in his interesting work on the use of words, exhibits the hidden beauty of the word tribulation. Its ordinary signification is, affliction, anguish, sorrow. Men pray against it, as if it were a positive evil. But its meaning is calculated to calm the unrest of the tried heart. It is derived from tribulum, the Roman name of the threshing instrument or roller, whereby the husbandman was wont to separate the corn from the husks, and tribulatio signifies the act of separation. Tribulation, therefore, is nothing but the threshing of the inner man, whereby it is separated from the husks and chaff, which would unfit it for the garner of Heaven. What, then, are our afflictions but acts of holy and faithful love? Our heavenly Father loveth us; and because he loveth, he taketh away our precious things. He deals with us somewhat after the manner of an ancient painter with his pupil. The young artist had genius, and produced a picture of much merit which was greatly admired by all. His young heart then swelled with vanity. He laid aside his palette and pencil and sat daily before his easel admiring the offspring of his own genius.

One morning he found his beautiful creation expunged from the canvass. He wept bitterly. His master appeared and said, “I have done this for your benefit; the picture was ruining you.”

“How so?” demanded his pupil.

“Because in the admiration of your own talent, you were losing your love of the art itself. Take your pencil and try again.”

The youth dried his tears; he seized his pencil and produced a masterpiece; which, but for this severe trial, he would, in all probability, have never executed. And thus, when we are vain and haughty in prosperity, when we worship the gift and forget the Giver, when earthly affections like husks on grain, enclose our hearts, God in pure love applies the flail of tribulation. He submits us to temporary pain that he may save us from everlasting ruin. Oh, this is true love indeed! and blessed are they who permit their trials to accomplish this loving purpose. They, and they only, shall gain a place among that noble multitude revealed in the glorious vision of the Revelator, of whom the elder said, “These are they which have come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

The above is copied from a little work entitled, “Lessons from the lips of Jesus,” and since we have a clear understanding of the meaning of the word tribulation, I hope it may comfort us in trial, and help us to “kiss the rod” since it is applied in love. The writer after some further remarks, adds:

“In life’s long sickness evermore Our thoughts are tossing to and fro. We change our posture o’er and o’er, But cannot rest, nor cheat our woe. “Were it not better to lie still, Let him strike home, and bless the rod? Never so safe as when our will Yields undiscerned by all but God.”

May this little extract bring comfort to some stricken heart, as it also has been a solace to my own, is the prayer of your sister.

SARAH J. WAKELING. Memphis, Mich.