Untitled article by Phebe Ann Holly

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, December 31, 1867

SELF-DENIAL.

By Phebe Ann Holly

How many can reflect upon the self-denying life of Christ without feeling a strong sense of condemnation resting upon them, as they must see a great lack of the spirit of self-denial in their hearts? A spirit of selfishness arises in many hearts when you speak to them of denying self. Oh! for a spirit of sacrifice and self-denial in us as a people. Still there are a few who realize that their lives should be lives of self-denial. They are trying to deny self, take up the cross and follow in the footsteps of our sacrificed Redeemer.

There are others who look upon the health reform with a murmuring and complaining spirit, thinking it is costing too much to deny their lusts and desires, and to bring their unsanctified wills into subjection to the divine will. Let such, if they can, with their finer sensibilities benumbed under the effects of tea, coffee and tobacco, and other stimulants, let them remember the sacrifice of our glorious Redeemer in leaving the courts of Heaven where he ruled King of kings and Lord of lords, before whom the angels bowed and did homage. Behold the same lovely King resign all the glory of Heaven, and the society of pure and holy angels for a life of over thirty years of self-denial and suffering. Let the mind wander back to the scene when the sins of the whole world were upon him, when, in his agony, he prayed to his Father that if it were possible, the cup might pass from him, but if not (behold his submission) the will of his Father be done. Oh! let us feel ashamed to call it self-denial to give up some, even all, the idols of this idolatrous age. Let us feel that we are even repaid in this life for trying to live temperately. Let us not condemn the ancient people of God for murmuring and complaining as they traveled through the wilderness, when we, as a people, if tested as they were, would, perhaps, not even reach the promised land. Oh! let us be more zealous, strive more earnestly to walk in that way, that we may not deny his name, that, in the great and final day, we may endure the searching test, have the privilege granted us of sitting on the throne of our Redeemer, as he overcame and has set down on the throne of his Father.

PHEBE ANN HOLLY.

Whiteside Co., Ill.