p. 1 | Untitled article by M. E. Cornell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 6, 1867

PRESENT TRUTH.

By M. E. Cornell

A SHORT SERMON BY ELD. M. E. CORNELL.

TEXT. “And be established in the present truth.” 2 Pet. i, 12.

The expression “present truth,” in the text, is peculiarly significant. It seems to imply that some truths are not eternal in their nature—that there may be past and future truths. Prophecy is truth, but is progressive in its development. The warning given to the world by Noah of a coming flood was present truth to that age. Noah could say, “a flood is coming to drown the world,” but if we should proclaim such a message, it would be false. But if we proclaim the speedy coming of the Saviour, with its kindred doctrines, we shall declare the present truth for this time, because the signs are now in the past, and the time has fully come for such a proclamation.

Thus it appears that all truth is not eternal; for some truths are called into existence by circumstances. Still it must be admitted that truths do exist which remain always the same, because in their very nature they are unchangeable. “Thy law is the truth,” saith the Psalmist. The moral law or ten commandments, applying to all men in all ages alike, are, per consequence, eternal and immutable. No time, place, nor circumstances make them liable to change. Being a summary of duties growing out of relations existing between man and his Maker and man and his fellow-man, they must continue in force as long as these relations exist. While other truths came to the world bearing more or less of the imperfection of the earthen vessel, the moral law alone came in the hand writing of its Divine Author. This law, coming directly from the hand of Jehovah, is therefore wholly and inexpressibly divine and perfect.

But, although the great object of the divine plan is that men should be holy, (“Be ye holy for I am holy,” is the language of both testaments,) yet at different periods there have been new and special incentives to holiness. As there have been special dangers, so there was need of special warnings; for when judgments have been pending, God in mercy has ordered that a timely warning be given, and the approaching danger has been used as a new incentive to obedience. Such special proclamation of danger and the duty of preparation therefor, constitutes the present truth for that time. The Antediluvians had a present truth; so have we. The days of Noah were in many respects like ours. If the present truth of his day was unpopular, so will our message be despised. What could have been more unpopular than Noah’s warning of a coming flood of water? Nothing could be more unlikely in the eyes of that generation. No such rainstorm had ever been known. Science was against it. The world was only in its infancy. Great men did not credit the prophecy. Why should Noah be the only man to give such a warning? Thus they decided against the truth. They heeded it not, because they believed not.

The present truth in every age has been a test upon those who heard it, and awful judgments have followed its rejection. It was so in the time of Noah, and of Lot, also in the case of Babylon, Nineveh, Tyre, Jerusalem and the Jews, and oh! how much more, when the time of trouble such as never was is immediately pending? If the evidence was clear enough to condemn the world before the flood, then surely the present generation will be left without excuse. Those things were written as our ensamples, and for our admonition on whom the ends of the world are come. We see how they were warned, and how they rejected it, and how it came out. We are admonished. God is no respecter of persons. Solemn thought. May we, like Noah, believe and live out faithfully the present truth, and so escape at last.

But we should not forget to mention that there is a sense in which truths, in their nature eternal, become under certain circumstances present truth. Truth long lost, newly found, and proclaimed in connection with a special message from Heaven, would come under this head. The Bible Sabbath, lost in the dark ages is now being restored as a part of our specific work. The remnant are to keep all of God’s commandments. The third angel’s message, “Brings the commandments which we must obey, Or receive of the plagues in that terrible day.” The Sabbath becomes the seal of God to the true Israel in the time of the end. And it is written of the last generation, to whom salvation is near to come, “Blessed is the man that doeth this and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.” Isa. lvi, 2.

Spiritual Gifts are to be restored to the church in the last days, and because of their importance and their connection with the last work, are emphatically present truth. The latter rain will develop all the gifts among the true believers. Our danger will be to doubt when the fiery trials come; and come they will, and come they must. But what if they have already commenced? It may be that even now we are being tested. Let every soul look well to this matter. Do your steps begin to slide? Do you begin to doubt that which was always clear when you lived near the Lord, before the present trial came? Beware, lest at any time you let the truth slip, for it is only by holding fast the beginning of your confidence firm unto the end that you will get the victory. What if some things are unexplainable! What if we are called upon to take some advance steps which are not all clear? Is it not safer to go forward with the body and with the leaders so long as we can see nothing in God’s word forbidding? There may be much for it which we do not at first see. Be not faithless but believing. We walk by faith.

But, thank God, the reforms required among us are backed up by both reason and the Bible. There is no occasion of stumbling here. Shall we talk of giving up all, of denying all worldly lusts, of giving all diligence to add temperance, &c., and yet be unwilling to give up tobacco, tea, coffee, pork, &c.? Why should we think it strange that such trials should be our lot? When ancient Israel were called out of Egypt to be led into the typical land of Canaan, their unwholesome animal food was cut off. They were given time to learn to love that which was best for their spiritual welfare. They were required to practice self denial and correct their bad habits. Those who would not endorse and live out the reform were cut off. But another spirit was in Caleb and Joshua, and they went clear through. They found no fault, murmured not, brought no evil report.

And this is our example, and we now have the anti-type. Called out of Babylon, tested by the law, introduced to the sanctuary, we are now being tested on the diet question. Why not? Are we better than they? There is great need of reform. The appetites and judgment of the masses are sadly perverted. Pride, lust of the eye, fashion, and lust of the flesh, have nearly ruined all. But a reform is called for. This is the day of preparation. To correct our habits is now the great business of our lives. Saith the faithful and true witness, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore and repent.” Dear friends, it will be best for us to buy the gold; it will cost us something, but it is the only safe investment

we can make. Let the rebellious go back into Egypt and sit down there by the flesh-pots to satisfy their animal appetites if they will, but let all the faithful, loyal ones go forward with the true Israel to the promised land. Those who truly love God, will love to walk in his paths.

In the text we are admonished of the necessity of being established in the present truth. If we are not fully established, rooted and grounded in it, we shall be persecuted out of it. All those branches which make up the great sum of present truth being unpopular, of course each item will be hated and opposed by the latter-day scoffers, even as each point is, according to its measure, a test truth to the remnant of God’s people. Those who are not established, who are only half-hearted, will be sifted out. God is proving and trying his people. Who will give up and turn back.

What a solemn, fearful time. Angels are weighing the thoughts and actions of the people of God. Our cases are being decided. Jesus will know how much we love him. “Lovest thou me, more than these?” is still the question, and it must soon be decided with us all. More prayer and more faith is needed. Perils have come. Mighty faith and prevailing prayer will open the way here. Greater humility before God will prepare the way. Elijah and Daniel were delivered by much prayer. Christ, our example, was much in prayer. Bunyan, Baxter, Fletcher, Luther, Wesley, Charlotte Elizabeth, and all who have accomplished much for the Lord, have been noted for prayer. What all need now is a soul work, a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, a crying out after the living God. Our God is still ready to bless and revive the hearts of the contrite ones. Oh! yes, he will abundantly pardon. All praise to his holy name forever. Shall we not this day go forward in word and deed, and henceforth note progress daily to the end? In the present and coming perils, may both speaker and hearer be so “established in the present truth,” that by grace we shall at last inherit the promises. Amen.