Who Will Follow the Light?
By R. F. Cottrell
God has sent the last message to warn mankind and prepare a people for himself. To those who have heeded the warning, and have taken their position to keep his commandments, he has spoken by his Spirit, warning of the dangers that are in their way, and teaching the necessary course to pursue in order to be overcomers. In tender mercy the Lord has given line upon line; precept upon precept. We have been solemnly and faithfully warned of our danger of coming to the Judgment unprepared. If we heed the light, we need not fail. But will we heed it? God can do no more to make the way clear. Will we walk in it? We have professed faith in the message as a message from God. Our faith will be tested. The proof of faith is corresponding works. Those who walk in the light will meet the approval of God and overcome. Are you walking in all the light? or do you think that you will be excused from heeding it? When God speaks, we should hear, and hearing, obey. We have been warned against worldliness and covetousness. Have we heeded? Where are our affections and our treasure? Have we given up our hold on the world? Is all that we have upon the altar? Are we doing all that we can to save men from impending ruin? Are we faithful stewards—making a proper use of our Lord’s money? Are we spending our physical strength to glorify God and save souls? or do the things which perish absorb all our energies and leave nothing for God? Are we casting out our idols and purifying the temple of God? or are we disregarding the divine instructions which have been given? Are we taking a course to secure health of body, and as a consequence, health of mind? Are we forming our appetites to temperance—to be satisfied with plain and wholesome food, discarding all stimulants—and thus preparing ourselves to endure? Do we hate our sins and love the law of God? Are we commandment-keepers in deed and in truth, in letter, and in spirit? And are we earnest in prayer and supplications, agonizing and pleading for the light of the Holy Spirit to help our infirmities and bless our efforts to do good and to obtain the needed strength to stand in the hour of temptation? The wrestling souls that feel their own weakness and seek God for help will prevail. The latter rain will be given, and they will receive it, while those who disregard the admonitions given will be left in darkness. O my soul! heed thou the timely admonitions. Hate sin. Love purity and holiness. Purify the temple and let in the heavenly guest. Awake to watchfulness and prayer; and awake to labor while it is called to-day, to save dying men. Oh, for entire submission to the will and service of God! Oh, for the energy of the divine Spirit in the work of the Lord! O God! help my infirmities, that the remnant of my time may tell in the cause of human salvation.