EXHORT ONE ANOTHER by J. S. Miller

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 25, 1868

EXHORT ONE ANOTHER.

By J. S. Miller

In trying to encourage others to take part in meetings for social worship, I have often presented the argument that we receive strength while exhorting others, since we should of course be expected live out the truth which we tried to induce others to embrace, and feeling sensible of this, we would strive harder to overcome than we otherwise would. I recently experienced the truthfulness of this saying on taking up a copy of the REVIEW containing an article that I had written a short time before, in which was an exhortation to my brethren and sisters to live out the truth which they preached to others. Now, since writing that article, I had allowed myself to be overcome in things from which I had professed to have reformed. As I read my own exhortation, a consciousness of guilt flashed over my mind. Am I a hypocrite, or am I a slave? thought I. I would not admit the first, so the second must be true. While I had thought myself free, I had only partially loosened the shackles. Then came the glorious promise, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things.” Again, would I throw myself upon the mercy of God, and in the strength of his Spirit strive to overcome. Brethren and sisters, exhort one another daily, that ye be not hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

J. S. MILLER.