Untitled article by N. Orcutt

Untitled article

N. Orcutt

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · July 23, 1867

“WATCH THE WAY.” Nahum ii, 1.

The duty of watchfulness has ever been incumbent upon the people of God. Always necessary for safety to insure success in the warfare, it was never more so than at the present time. In view of the position now occupied by the church of God, has not its importance increased; and while perils thicken as they pass through the trouble to come, will not increased vigilance and watchfulness be necessary on their part, to enable them to overcome?

Were we traveling on a road, requiring, even in the day time, watchfulness to insure safety, to keep our carriage off the stones, or out of the ruts, and to enable us to shun the various intersecting paths, which would lead us away from our place of destination, should we deem it wise as day drew to a close, and the shades of evening began to gather around, to relax our watchfulness, and as darkness increased, to neglect entirely to “watch the way?”

The church of God, in their journey, typified by that of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage to the land of promise, have found darkness to increase, iniquity to abound, and the love of many to wax cold. Not only so, but while perilous times have come, dangers multiply while darkness increases. We have only to call to mind the zeal, the love and consecration, manifested by the little company who embraced the first angel’s message, and gave heed to the light which accompanied its promulgation, and follow down as disappointment after disappointment has tried their faith, and look to see where they are now,—divided,—very many of them fighting against God and the present truth; and to behold the increase of iniquity and skepticism in the world; to satisfy ourselves that such is the condition of the world at large, and such the prospect before the people of God. Surely it were dangerous,

while we occupy this position, to relax our vigilance.

The word of God has plainly brought before us two ways, the one called the way of understanding, of peace, of truth, of righteousness, of holiness, of salvation, of life, straight, narrow, occupied by the few; the other broad, destruction its end, thronged by a multitude. In the former the people of God are traveling. As the traveler watches the highway for obstructions and dangers, that he may avoid them, or for the “guide board” that directs him on his way, or tells him of his nearness to the place of his destination; so we must “watch the way.” It is thickly strewn with dangers and obstructions. We have foes who are watching us with jealous eyes, ready to take advantage of any carelessness or stupor on our part, that they may destroy us. As we pursue this way, we have the same foes to encounter that have troubled the faithful of all ages; the world, the flesh and the Devil. The world has lost none of its charms to the carnal mind. The flesh has not been sanctified by the rapid increase of worldly knowledge and advance of civilization, and the Devil is none the less cunning, and labors none the less zealously to overthrow the faith of God’s people. “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation,” was the admonition of Jesus to his disciples; and has he not said, “What I say unto you, I say unto all, watch?” He has promised in the hour of temptation to provide a way of escape, but shall we not need to watch for that way? We must “watch the way,” that we be not overcome with the cares of this life, that the love of the world does not occupy the place in our hearts that belongs to God, that we love not its riches, pleasures, honors and applause, instead of durable riches in righteousness, the pleasure of knowing that our ways please God, the honor that cometh from him, and the applause which will be the portion of the faithful, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Watch for the snares of the adversary, putting on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against his wiles. New dangers, of which we have been warned by the word of God, are just before us. New manifestations of Satan’s power, to “deceive if possible the very elect.” An instance of this, we have in that great delusion which has gone to the kings of the earth, and the whole world, which has overthrown some who were once strong in the faith and in the present truth, and which numbers its votaries by millions, and among them very many of the world’s great men.

Again we must “watch the way,” for the first manifestations of unbelief. If Satan cannot push forward into fanaticism, he strives to hold us in infidelity. He would fain lead us to doubt God’s word. Failing in this, he would have us reject the manifestations of his power and goodness in the continuation of the gifts in the church, as many have, and are fallen, manifesting more of the spirit of the adversary, than the Spirit of Christ.

The enemy, with all his cunning, if unable to overthrow at once, attempts to undermine the foundation, introducing distracting influences, jealousies and bickerings, where love should bind in one body. We must watch for these insidious attempts, lest he succeed in separating us from the Vine.

The Saviour has graciously given certain signs, the occurrence of which brings the assurance that deliverance is near, and he has bidden his people to watch lest he return and find them sleeping, “overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so that day come . . . unawares.” We must “watch the way” for these tokens, that in the time of trouble just before us, we may be enabled to lift up our heads knowing that redemption is nigh. This knowledge is just what the people of God will need, to cheer and nerve them to do and bear, amid the trials that await them. As the traveler feels not fatigue, while he knows he is almost home after a long absence, so we may be able to sing, “The road may be rough but it cannot be long;” and the prospect that we shall soon arrive at home lightens every toil, and enables us to rejoice even in tribulation.

We have a light shining upon the straight and narrow way, “a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path,” “a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto we do well that we take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn.” While we watch, we may have an increase of light to dispel from our pathway the thick darkness that envelops an ungodly world, light from Heaven, borne to earth by angels that excel in strength, and while we “walk in the light as our Father is in the light, we may have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus will cleanse from all unrighteousness.” While the light shines around us, and we move out with it, we are safe, and can say with the Psalmist, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Ps. xxvii, 1.

May the Lord enable us to “watch the way,” and bring us finally to stand upon Mount Zion.

N. ORCUTT.

Health Institute, B. C., Mich.