JOHN D. GILLATT by John D. Gillatt

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 29, 1912

JOHN D. GILLATT

By John D. Gillatt

The City Problem — No. 3

JOHN D. GILLATT

In two texts our Lord summarized Abraham's creed: “Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” Gen. 26: 5. “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” John 8: 56. From these verses we gather that Abraham's theology, if we might call it that, was (a) belief in the binding obligation of the commandments of God, and (b) belief in the advent of our Lord. Nor was his view of the latter subject limited to the first advent. Had his vision reached only to that event, he would have seen the seed-time, but not the harvest; and certainly there would be no reason for rejoicing to the farmer if there were no ingathering.

Again, to behold his Master working with physical infirmity, torn by mental anguish, and agonizing beneath the burden of a world's transgressions,—would this have brought unmingled rejoicing to the heart of Abraham? Would it not

rather have created anxious regret and despondency? See the patriarch, however, as he descries over the horizon of time the regal majesty of the future advent morn. What loyal soul with such a vision would not reflect its radiance, and rejoice?

These two principles upon which Abraham built his confidence are now committed to us as a people; hence again we say that we should recognize and maintain a closer kinship to Father Abraham than would be appreciated by formal Christendom.

When departing from Haran, Abram took a memento of Chaldea with him in the person of Lot, who proved both during and after their association not the greatest help. God's plan of complete separation was, after all, the best, and fortunately for Abram, the separation finally came.

Our Lord has given us an admirable commentary upon the educational course which Abram conducted for his household. “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Gen. 18: 19. He had a higher and nobler science in which to train his followers than the science of the world.

Now, contrast Lot with “the friend of God.” Let us place two scriptures together. “Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks.” Gen. 13:18, R. V. “Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities.” Verse 12. An interesting difference is here distinguishable. Abraham cultivated the divine Spirit, and took up his abode in the country, rejoicing not in the gaiety and trafficking of the cities. Lot, on the other hand, chose city life. This would have been justifiable had it been with a view to putting forth labor for souls, but Lot preferred the city evidently for other reasons. Twenty years Lot was a city resident, yet at the close of that period he could not show the specified ten souls to save the cities. Nay, not even one was found outside Lot's household when the angels visited Sodom. On the other hand, Lot lost a portion of his family in the flames, was bereft of his wife even en route to safety, and speedily was confronted with the lasting disgrace of his daughters and the sign of their spiritual apathy. All this because of his own unwise choice. He had chosen the leadings of his own inclinations rather than the leadings of the Spirit of God; had chosen to sit in civic judgment in the temporal affairs of men rather than to bring to them the message of salvation that would save them from the judgment of the great day of God. Although he is acknowledged by heaven as personally a just man, and although he was “vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked” (2 Peter 2:7), yet he was assuredly one saved “yet so as by fire.” 1 Cor. 3:15. Even in later years, the consequences of his failure to seize the opportunity of laboring for those souls were terrible; for instance, from an unhallowed union two nations sprang into being that were an abomination to the Lord, and were as thorns in the flesh to Israel. As a result of counsel given by Balaam to Balak, king of one of these nations, sin stormed the camp of Israel's armies and carried off twenty-four thousand to untimely graves. See Num. 25: 1-3, 9; 31: 16.

Lot's case exemplifies the truth that no man liveth unto himself, and shows us how men who esteem lightly city needs may “bring a city into a snare,” whereas “wise men turn away wrath.” Prov. 29:8. Let us haste to learn our lesson, be wise and “turn away wrath” from the heads of many in our great hives of industry, commerce, and transgression, by conveying to souls in danger the sacred warning committed to us.