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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, November 19, 1867

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 23

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PRESENT TRUTH.

By Simon Patten

THESE are words often used by believers in the third angel’s message, and as applied to the truths of the message so, applicable to this time, they are pleasant to the ears of those who truly love the truth. But my mind was called to the subject by reading Testimony No. 13. Of a certain class it is said that something else was their present truth. Ah, thought I, how often is it the case that, instead of having the present truth uppermost in our minds, we have something else—the world, foolish talking and jesting, murmuring, yes, and many other things, which the enemy would crowd upon our minds, as our present truth. Do we realize the solemnity of the times in which we live, when we thus let some trifling thing take the place in our hearts which we profess to have given to the truth. No, I fear not. Oh! may the Lord help us to awake, and shake off the lethargy which holds us. “This death stupor is from Satan,” and in the strength of the God of Jacob may we arouse.
The truth cuts close, but let it cut. For my part I would rather know the worst of my case now, than to come up to the Judgment unprepared. Thank God for the Testimonies. How good he is to thus take pains to show us our failings. Does it not show that indeed he does love his erring people? How patiently he waits that all may have a chance to confess and forsake their sins if they will. But soon I believe he will make a clean work among his professed people. And who will stand? Oh! that the lukewarm and careless might be aroused to a sense of their danger.
As I read that but a small portion only of those who now profess the truth will be sanctified by it, I trembled for myself, and felt to ask, “Lord is it!?” Am I one who will get above the simplicity of the truth, and be left behind as the work moves forward? O Lord forbid it. But may I humble myself and walk softly before God, and lay aside every wrong thing, and have the present truth more deeply planted in my heart. And may all who read this remember that it is an individual work that they have to do at this time, if they would share in the triumph that soon awaits those who gain the necessary preparation, and who truly get into the work, humbling themselves and exalting the truth.
SIMON PATTEN.
Cambria P. O., Wis.