Untitled article by E. M. Prentiss

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · September 3, 1867

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 12

RELIEF FOR THE PENITENT.

By E. M. Prentiss

“Take my yoke upon you, and ye shall find rest unto your souls,” says Jesus. “Strange Paradox!” said one, while commenting upon this verse, “that a man already weary and overloaded, must take a new weight upon him in order to be eased and find rest!” and so one would naturally think if he had not proved the faithfulness of Him who invites us so tenderly, and learned by experience how worthy his yoke is to be taken, borne, and loved. But what is this yoke which we are to take upon us? It is nothing more nor less than an invitation to become Christ’s disciples. All who have come to years of accountability and have been enlightened by the word of God have learned the sad fact, that they are fallen. The works of the flesh are made manifest, and so commanding is their evil nature that they are led to commit all kinds of crime. When such ones become enlightened by the direct teachings of the Spirit of God that they are sinners, the weight of their guilt presses heavily upon them. They become weary under this great load. At last they feel it crushing them without any power of their own to extricate themselves. They would do good but evil is present with them; they find that their observance of the most solemn rites and ceremonies gives them no power to conquer their evil propensities; and provides no pardon for the guilt and condemnation produced by them. To such the Gospel proclaims liberty. You have a free invitation from God to receive the privileges of the gospel.

The helps here offered Christ calls “my yoke;” take it upon you, that is, receive him as the Messiah, believe his doctrine, and try to conform to his word and his Spirit in all things, and you will find rest. Your burden of guilt, the prime cause of all your misery, will be removed. Under the guidance of God’s Spirit you will yield the fruits of the Spirit, a sensible part of which is peace.

But you may ask, “How can one so vile come and expect pardon?” The only necessary preparation on your part, is to have a consciousness of your present infirmities and frailties, and a just sense of your dependence upon the Saviour, then act voluntarily. “Whosoever will come after me” Christ says; and it is for you to accept the invitation so graciously given. We should renounce self, that is, separate ourselves from every influence that would lead us to set a greater value on earthly than on heavenly things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of the body over the mind is sinful, and should be abandoned; for it will only add weight to our hindrances and impede our progress, so that we cannot so effectually come to him and be set at liberty. When we thus have the glory of Christ in view he will accept us and we shall enjoy his presence and his blessing.

Learning of him who is meek and lowly in heart, you will feel the pride and selfishness of a natural heart, which has caused you so much mental anxiety, give way, and it will be supplanted by his love. “Love to God brings strength from God,” and instead of his commandments being burdensome they are made easy and light. You will love to do them and this cheerful obedience to his requirements will bring rest; for “the work of righteousness is peace, and the effects of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”

Come, then, penitent one, weary and heavily laden with the burdensome rites of a sinful nature, embrace fully the condition which God has appointed, and receive your liberty.

E. M. PRENTISS.

North Parma, N. Y.