Untitled article by JOS. CLARKE.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, March 17, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 14

OUR THOUGHTS.

By JOS. CLARKE.

“FINALLY, my brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil. iv, 8.

Could all who name the name of Christ, and who professedly keep his sayings, observe and do all that is included in this eighth verse of Phil., fourth chapter, how happy would the people of God be!

In this verse we find the very heart and soul of genuine godliness; and brief as it is, it is the work of a lifetime to attain to its elevated standard.

The fatal consequences of not heeding this advice, are seen everywhere in the moral wrecks around us; for in all moral action the thought is pioneer to the deed. The imagination paints evil in fanciful colors, and desire follows, and bare passions wake into life, and become strong to carry out all that desire suggested, and man becomes a servant of sin, because his thoughts leaned in that direction.

First of all, think, think on these things (above named), accept no evil thought, encourage no discouraging feelings, nor any train of reflections which conflict with the principles above quoted.

There are an abundance of profitable subjects for the mind to feed upon; and the food our minds live upon has as much to do with the formation of our characters, as our daily food has to do with our physical health and strength.

It is impossible to control our thoughts. But only with the help of God can we do this. Amid the cares and perplexities of life, our minds may be stayed upon God, our reflections may be upon those things which strengthen us for the work of the Lord.

JOS. CLARKE.