Friendly Inquiries

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 18, 1868

Friendly Inquiries.

CHRISTIAN, while Jesus may find some things in you to commend, may he not, and justly too, “have somewhat against you,” because you have left your “first love.”? Let us inquire a little, and ascertain, if possible, whether you have or have not “left your first love.” How delightful it was once, when your hour of prayer came, to enter your closet and hold sweet converse with the “Lover of your soul!” Never-to-be-forgotten seasons, when you did not get tired of praying! You would rather lose a visit from your dearest earthly friend than fail to meet Jesus at the accustomed time and kneeling place.

What a precious season in the family, too, when all were gathered around the family Bible! Your prayers convinced all that you were speaking really to God, and that God was in that place.

But, dear brother, is it so now? Or does your heart shrink back from closet visits? Are your visits short, less frequent, formal, and lifeless?

Does family worship drag? Has the Bible lost its power to interest? Then the sad tale is told. You have “left your first love.” Jesus has something against you. He cannot smile on you until you return, and repent, and do your first works; and you cannot do anything for him while you remain in this state. You can’t pray for or talk with sinners. You are in the way of their salvation. Dear brother, will you not get out of the way? Will you not return to your “first love”? Jesus is ready to receive you. Hear him call you: “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man will hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.”