SELF, DEAR SELF by Jesse Dorcas

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 18, 1867

SELF, DEAR SELF.

By Jesse Dorcas

That men and women should be influenced to some extent, by motives of self-interest, in pursuit of the various callings and duties of life, is not wrong. But oh! how painful is the reflection, that through all the history of our race, up to the present hour, both in high places and low, they have condescended to the most base and sordid acts of selfishness to accomplish their ends. As the Scriptures were written for our learning, let us for a few moments, contemplate this subject in the light of the Bible. And for our present ends we need not go farther back than the days of Samuel and Saul, to find a striking instance of self-justification while under condemnation for a wrong course of life.

The Lord sent Saul to exterminate the Amalekites. He came back with Agag and the spoil. The Lord saw his course and informed Samuel that Saul had turned back from following him, and had not kept his commandments. “It grieved Samuel, and he cried unto the Lord all night.” Yet with all Samuel’s prayers and tears, and ample time for reflection, the next morning Saul met him with a blessing in his mouth, and with a deceived heart. It may be that he concluded that so small a departure, and that with good intentions, could not affect the case unfavorably.

After Samuel’s faithful admonition, the self-willed king still plead his innocence, until he declared God’s intention to reject him from being king. In this his eyes seemed to be opened to his condition. However, it does not appear that the Lord intended to separate him from his favor further than to remove him from office. Had he cheerfully submitted, and humbled himself before God and his people, no doubt he might have been saved. But his unsanctified self was not humbled; and though in a number of instances in his dealing with David, he saw and acknowledged the hand of God in sparing his life, yet self would not allow him to do his duty.

How is it with us? Let us carefully consider all this narrative, until we see the end of God’s anointed, and then ask ourselves the solemn question, how our case stands. Are we fathers or mothers, brothers or sisters, neighbors or relatives? and has God enjoined a duty upon us? Are we members of the church? or, even more, are we ministers of the most solemn message that ever fell upon the ears of mortals? Have we committed a wrong, and had a disposition to smuggle the wrong and justify self? Let us beware. May the Lord deliver us from every evil work, and preserve us unto his heavenly kingdom.

JESSE DORCAS.

Cedar Co., Iowa. *