RESPONSIBILITY by Mary Stratton

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1867

RESPONSIBILITY.

By Mary Stratton

It is impossible to avoid responsibility, how much-soever we may desire it, while we are surrounded by human beings susceptible of impressions. We are responsible in the highest degree for our influence. I am not a believer in innate immortality, but if there is anything about us immortal it is our influence. It is strange how small an act may make a lasting impression. A Christian is a living epistle known and read of all men. Then as we appear careless or reverential, the world takes cognizance of us.

“How careful then ought we to live, With what religious fear, Who such a strict account must give, For all our actions here.”

Not only our appearance in meeting, but the way we go in and out of meeting, a word, a look, a gesture, all, all are telling for good or ill. I remember to have been very seriously affected by seeing a minister ascend the pulpit steps as if the weight of the cause of God rested heavily upon him, and his look was as solemn as the truths he was about to utter. Again I have seen others enter the sacred desk with a high look and a careless hasty step, and I felt at once, they were not of the number who “go forth weeping, bearing precious seed,” and expecting in a little while to “return rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them.”

Adventists are watched with a microscopic eye. Small faults are made to look very large; and why? Because we profess to be looking for the coming of the Lord; and every community knows what a man or woman ought to be if ready for translation. Therefore we are expected to be better than others, and we ought to be.

It is no use for us to feel independent and think we have a right to live as we please. No one has any right to do wrong. God has a plan by which he can save just such poor fellow-creatures as we are; and outside of this I don’t know how he can save us.

Our leaders among the commandment-keepers are striving with all their hearts to come into this arrangement. Now the great question with us is, Shall we go with them? It surely ought not to be humiliating to submit to be led by those who are really in advance of us. It is more a mark of good sense than weakness. The Lord help us to choose the narrow way and walk in it.

MARY STRATTON.