Untitled article by S. E. Lindsley

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 14, 1868

LOVE OF APPROBATION.

By S. E. Lindsley

“I AM so weak and bend so easily to surrounding circumstances, I have grown to love the approbation of the world so much, that a constant, mighty, effort alone can save me. Little have I thought that I was striving harder to please earthly friends than to please Him who is a friend above all others. But I fear that this is so.”

These lines from the pen of a sister in a late Review, struck me with especial force. Can it be when I have said so many times and sincerely, too, that the so-called pleasures of the world are naught to me, that I still cherish in my heart a stronger desire to be thought and spoken well of by the world, than for the approbation of God? I have never desired to attend the picnics or other parties of pleasure in which the professed church, as well as the world, so unscrupulously mingle. But numerous friends and acquaintances who have no relish for the truth of God, have shown themselves extremely kind to me in temporal things, and given me their sympathy. This has produced feelings of gratitude in me and increased approbativeness. Thus I have too often come under their influence and given them reason to feel that notwithstanding my profession, there was but little difference between us. This has caused me many sorrowful hours. I have mourned that I had so little strength and was so easily overcome. Yet I did not realize that a desire to retain their approbation and friendship existed and formed a serious obstacle in the way of overcoming. And in my efforts to speak to them of my faith and hope I fear that I have lowered the standard to meet them, as it were, and avoid giving offense. I “cannot point to one soul thus saved.” May God help me to “turn to a new course of action.” I feel my need of the “gold, white raiment and eye salve” as never before.

Dear young friends, let us awake and search our hearts. Let us set apart the twilight hour for self-examination and earnest prayer. We may be sure that we shall never get right before the Lord without devoting time and labor to the work.

The soon-coming of our dear Saviour is no idle tale, and we rejoice that it is not. We love it and rejoice in the bright prospect of deliverance near at hand. But oh! do we not sometimes forget the great work of preparation which we must individually perform, or be filled with terror instead of joy in that day?

Are some of us lured by earthly lore? Do the halls of learning and the honors of scholarship attract us? Oh! let us be careful. Let us keep salvation and the glory of God uppermost all the time. If we do not, we shall find ere we are aware that instead of becoming separate from the world we are binding ourselves to it more firmly.

How good the Lord is to reprove and warn us so faithfully. With resolute purpose and firm endeavor let us press forward, repenting of our past errors, earnest in the work of reform, not fearing the reproach or censure of men so much as the frown of our heavenly Father. S. E. LINDSLEY. Oswego Co., N. Y.