Untitled article by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, March 3, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 12

IS YOUR CABLE STRONG?

By R. F. Cottrell

The Christian’s hope is the anchor of his soul. It is cast in good anchor ground, within the vail where Jesus is. Faith is the cable that connects his craft to that anchor; and if this be strong, the use of the wheel-and-axle power of the capstan, prayer and holy living combined, will assuredly bring his vessel into the desired haven.

Brother, sister, is your cable strong? If so, pull away on the lever at the capstan, and your vessel will soon be brought into the harbor where your anchor lies.

Have you faith? Oh, yes! you believe some generally-admitted truths, such as that there is one God. The devils believe as much as that, and tremble for fear of their doom. You want living, active faith—faith in prophecy, faith in what the Lord is now doing—faith in present truth.

Prophecies and signs fulfilled proclaim the great day of the Lord at hand. We are in the day of his preparation. Is he preparing his people to stand in the evil day? Is he fitting a people for translation? The advent messages have been announced in the order laid down in prophecy. Rev. xiv, 6-12. Do you believe them? or has chance brought these things to pass?

Yes, I am an Adventist. Any one can see by comparing the prophecies with our own times, that we are in the last days. The solemn cry, “The hour of his judgment is come,” which sounded through the world some years since, convinced me, and I have been an Adventist for years. I am looking for the advent constantly.

Have you considered the third message, that about the commandments, and obeyed it by embracing the down-trodden Sabbath? Rev. xiv, 9-12. Or do you ignore this most solemn and awful message of the word of God, and expect the advent daily without a fulfillment of this prophecy? This message is sounding. Have you faith in it?

Oh, that is your hobby!

It is the word of God, and must be fulfilled. If the work now being done in favor of the commandments is not the fulfillment, what is? You should show us the fulfillment of this portion of the word, or else not claim to be expecting the Lord immediately; for it must be fulfilled before his coming, and it will not be done and nobody know it. Where is your faith?

I believe we are having the fulfillment of this message, and it caused me to embrace the Sabbath, years ago.

-You believe, then, that this work is from Heaven and not of men. You believe the Lord is as really leading his people by this message, as he led his ancient people by the hand of Moses.

I believe the Seventh-day Adventists are the nearest right of any denomination of professed Christians; but I doubt their having the gift of prophecy among them. I can get along with everything they teach but the visions.

You believe, then, the Lord is leading this people, only he is not. This was the case with the Israelites that fell by the plagues in the wilderness. They had started out from Egypt, compelled by the logic of events there, but they did not believe that the Lord had led them. Hence they murmured at those whom God had chosen to lead them. Let me tell you, it will require faith in God, faith in present truth, faith that God is leading his people by his Holy Spirit, to enable you to stand in the time of trouble which is just before us. Those who go through will, like Caleb and Joshua, follow the Lord fully. This they cannot do, unless they believe him fully. This movement is “from Heaven, or of men.” Which is it? Are the means by which we have been enlightened and led, from beneath? If so, you may as well give up the ship.

Have you faith? Is God preparing a people for translation, or not? The great crisis of this world's history is right before us. Who will be able to stand? Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. No class are teaching all the commandments and the entire faith, all the teachings of Christ and the signs of the times, but Seventh-day Adventists. Are they being led by the Devil? Some spirit, good or bad, is leading them—a spirit of darkness, or the Spirit of the living God. If the former, why heed it at all? If the latter, why not heed it fully?

A rough sea is before us. Is your cable strong? Do you believe that God lives and is fulfilling his word? Is our Father at the helm, or not? If he is, trust him fully. Have all on board. Believe that he will guide you safely, and all will be well. Walk by faith, and live up to all the light, and you will not fall after the ancient examples of unbelief.

The weather is unsettled and lowering. A storm is before us. Let your mind be settled on something, and your faith steady. Do not believe God in part and reject him in part. Do not profess to receive the truth, and at the same time reject the means God has chosen to spread it abroad. Such a course is inconsistent and self-contradictory. Make a choice. Serve God or mammon. A man of two minds is unstable in all his ways. If God is leading us, go with us with all your heart. If not, be decided against us.

Have faith in God. He lives, and is fulfilling his word. Is your cable strong? Then is your vessel safe. Pull hard on the lever, and you will soon find your anchor.

R. F. COTTRELL.