p. 162 | Untitled article by B. S. Barnes

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 27, 1867

THE CHAPLET OF ETERNAL LIFE.

By B. S. Barnes

Crown of everlasting life! Is it not worth striving for? Shall things of a moment, vanities, baubles, allure our attention from an unyielding purpose to urge our way on, and gain the chaplet of eternal life? The way is open before us. The plan of salvation is plain. Yes, thank God for a full and free salvation! “As the Father hath loved me,” says Christ “so have I loved you.” What! the love that God bore to his dear Son, the measure of Christ’s love to us fallen ones? Wondrous thought! Love deep and incomprehensible! “Thou art ever with me and all I have is thine.” How rich is the child of God, though poor in this world’s goods! Access to all of Heaven! O ye hungry, barren souls, could ye but catch one glimpse of the fullness of Christ, could ye but realize the gift he hath placed within your reach, ye would believe.

“If a man love me he will keep my words; and my Father will love him; and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” How plain the test of our love to God—keeping his words. How great the divine condescension, “We will make our abode with him.” Sweet is it to live in the divine companionship of our Creator. How easy to grieve the Holy Spirit, and become separated from Christ. God help us that we may walk with sacred awe, as did Moses before the burning bush.

Truly we have battles to fight, burdens to bear, endurance now; but palms of glory and crowns of victory just upon the other side. How slight is our suffering compared with what Jesus suffered for us! Precious Jesus! Fullness of joy! Well of salvation! Oh! for a faith to plunge into the ocean—fullness of his love, and to drink of the fountain of joy! Does it not encourage our weary hearts, to enjoy the blessed realization that God doth all things well? Tenderly he watches each step of the way his weary, burdened children tread. He brings them by the way that leads most direct to Heaven. But it is only by faith that we are able to appreciate the highway of the soul. Hence Lord increase our faith, and give us the elastic step of those who “run and are not weary.” Thank God! Sweet is it to run in the way of thy commandments. A starry crown is at the end of the race. It will be sweet to get home; and if we are saved, it will be all of Christ. Jerusalem, the city of God; and Christ its Shepherd, and we the sheep of his pasture. Our Shepherd will not live in glory, and leave us behind. No; he said he would come again and take us to himself—to himself. Sweet home of my soul how near! Ah! let us strike our harps of praise; for we are so near the crossing.

To those who persevere, the chaplet of eternal life will soon be given. Shall we be discouraged? Is there no balm in Gilead? Yes, let us rejoice and give thanks to our God and Saviour, there is hope, there is “balm in Gilead.” Our dispensation is one of forbearance; and Christ its surety. There is mercy; but only to the merciful. There are blessings in store; but only for the obedient. There is forgiveness; but only to the penitent. There is an altar that sanctifies; but only those who consecrate their all upon it. There is a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness; but for those only who bathe in it. Christ lives to make intercession; but for those only who plead his merits. The time wanes fast; and the great work of preparation will soon be done. Now is the time to make sure of the reward. God commands present obedience, present holiness, and present usefulness; and promises present blessings: even “while they are speaking I will hear.” The great business of the Christian, the salvation of souls, should be pursued with as much zeal as he pursues other objects. Talking and thinking about the circumstantials of one’s religion is not so important as the more direct work of saving souls. We must not have an up-town and a down-town dress, Sabbath piety and week-day formality. No; give me the religion that occupies but one ground, and it’s all staked on that. Give me a hope that is reduced to one anchor, and that struck in the Rock of Ages. How firm a basis is this for the trembling heart that finds no resting place in earth. Oh! how we cling to the sure Rock when everything is dashed upon the breakers of life.

All would be dark without Christ; through him we can gain the chaplet of eternal life, and live where “God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes.”

B. S. BARNES. Battle Creek, Aug. 14, 1867.