p. 131 | Untitled article by ETTA BOOTH

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · February 11, 1868

KEEP NEAR JESUS.

By ETTA BOOTH

Now, when we need protection from the increasing perils that surround us, that we be not “afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day,” how necessary that we keep near Jesus. We need great strength while the enemy of souls is waxing more terrible as he nears his impending doom, and our perfect weakness is made omnipotent strength through the presence of Jesus and all supplication of prayer through the Spirit. Here only can we learn the duty and necessity of an absolute surrender of self to the will and service of God. Here alone can we learn the unspeakable value of the price with which we are bought, and that therefore we must “glorify God with our bodies and our spirits which are God’s.”

If, in the performance of the great commands, we retain the right of practicing little sins, presuming upon divine benignity, let us consider that sooner than sin should go unpunished, “God spared not his own Son,” but “was pleased to bruise and put him to grief” for our sakes, and we shall see how frail the buoy upon which these self-flatteries rest. That the vengeance of Heaven do not overtake us, we must flee, after God has given so great salvation, ‘from every sin, and become pure through the presence of Jesus. Here only can we learn the exceeding fullness of the love of God toward us, and to watch over our hearts with renewed jealousy, lest we continue to offend him. Jesus, who was meek and lowly of heart, can best teach us lessons of humility. Contemplation of his character, our own unworthiness, and the amazing condescension of divine love, can melt the stubborn, callous heart, arouse the sensibilities, abate pride, and thus reduce our opinions of self, moderate our pretensions, and give meekness and urbanity instead of coldness and haughtiness, which we have manifested toward others; becoming less exacting of respect for our persons and deference for our authority and opinions. We feel less sensibly a slight, less irritable, less prone to dissatisfaction, grow more courteous and placable, more meek and condescending. Loveliest traits of Christian character! Jesus redeemed precious, erring souls through gentle forbearance. Look at cursing Peter. The harshness he deserved would have hardened, while a sorrowing, reproving look saved him, to give beneficent fruits to the world.

In duties to the erring we should not forget that “the servant is not greater than his Lord.” Near Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God,” we can review the scenes of degradation and suffering, and then in idea follow him to the realms of glory, where angels, and principalities and powers are subject unto him. Still filled with sympathy and love, he ever lives to make intercession for his people. Cheered by this animating view, the fainting spirits revive, and when all is dark, the eye of faith can look up with radiant hope, and the heart can swell with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Orleans Co., N. Y. ETTA BOOTH.