NOT RULED BY FEELING by Jos. Clarke

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 19, 1880

NOT RULED BY FEELING.

By Jos. Clarke

A VERY devoted and godly minister, who had been the means of the conversion of many souls, was often oppressed by a sense of his own unworthiness; and sometimes he felt this most deeply when about to preach. He observed that after such experiences, his labors in the work of God were crowned with more success than at other times.

Now suppose that when he was about to preach, feeling, as he describes, such a sense of his unworthiness and weakness as sometimes almost to overcome his physical strength, he had given way to this feeling, and had made known this irresolution and weakness to his congregation, which being composed of various classes of minds, might have come to as various conclusions. None of them would have been benefited or pleased by such a self-dissection, in a promiscuous assembly, and would have returned as unaffected and hardened as before.

Instead of this, this minister forgot his own condition in his ardent desire to save his flock; and determined that whatever his own chances were for eternal life, he would adapt his discourse to the condition and wants of his hearers. As he proceeded, light filled his soul, and his words entered the hearts of his people. Saints were strengthened, and sinners were alarmed, convicted, and in time converted.

So should we study what is duty and never run from it because of discouragement; but go on in the fear and love of God; so shall light arise and darkness shall flee away. Thus will Satan be foiled in his plans, and victories will crown the labor of the just. Jos. Clarke.