p. 266 | Untitled article by N. Orcutt

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 8, 1867

"MY PEOPLE DOTH NOT CONSIDER."

By N. Orcutt

This language of the Lord, by the mouth of his prophet, though spoken more than twenty-six hundred years since, has been an accurate description of the condition of a large class in all ages of the world. Mankind are too prone to forget, not to consider, their dependence, responsibility and accountability. Few, very few, after close self-examination, can plead Not guilty to the charge.

Do we consider, as we should, God's tender care over us, and realize the debt of gratitude we owe in consequence? Do we not forget that his eye takes cognizance of all our ways, that he is the giver of every good and perfect gift, that all our blessings, in sickness and health, in prosperity and adversity, flow from his bountiful hand? Do we consider that good angels watch over us, and shield us from danger, that, though unseen, they are efficient guardians,—"ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

Could we have a panoramic view of our past life, and behold their ministrations, see how we have been saved from accident and harm, through their interposition, even when we have seen no danger in the way; could we but know the many times they have beaten back the darkness which the enemy has tried to press upon us, how they have fought with evil angels when they have striven to gain an influence over us; could we but know how often we have escaped temptation through their interposition, and how the Saviour has, through their instrumentality, in the hour of temptation provided the way of escape that we might be able to bear it, our hearts would glow with gratitude, when we consider that not only have we been saved from imminent danger, but that it has been of God's mercy, and through the aid of angels that excel in strength, that no harm has befallen us.

I recollect reading several years since an anecdote which illustrates this idea. Two preachers met at conference. One was expressing great gratitude to God for his providential escape from danger. Said he, "My horse becoming frightened at some object by the wayside, I barely escaped being precipitated down an awful precipice, where I would certainly have been killed by the fall." "Well," said his companion, "I have greater cause of gratitude than you." The first speaker desired an explanation. "I came to this place without my horse being frightened at all; I was in no apparent danger, from any cause, and if our gratitude is measured by and in proportion to the favors bestowed upon us by our Heavenly Father, I have certainly more cause of gratitude than you."

Dear brethren and sisters, let us consider how good the Lord is, and under all circumstances strive to realize the consequent obligation resting upon us to love him with all our hearts, and praise him for his manifold mercies, for his goodness to the children of men. This is no more than our reasonable service.

N. ORCUTT.

Health Institute, Oct. 1, 1867.