MINUTE MEN by F. C. Castle

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 8, 1868

MINUTE MEN.

By F. C. Castle

My mind of late has been impressed with the importance of our standing as minute men in the Lord's service, ready to go at a moment's notice, cheerfully doing our Captain's bidding. How dangerous for sentinels to leave their posts, and cease to guard that which they were appointed over. The enemy may come in and do much injury to that which he is sworn to protect and defend; and how true it is that the Lord is testing the fidelity of his people, proving them, to see if they will be on time, doing every duty. I think of two orphan children whose mother was a Sabbath-keeper, and they also observed the same, and wished to do so. Yet for nearly a year they have been thrown into the world where they could not observe it. I excused myself for the time, feeling my inability and incompetency to do anything like justice to them. And the attention of others was called to their case, and how they would feel if their own children were so left, and some thought they were better off in the world than they would be with Sabbath-keepers. Are there no nursing fathers and mothers in Israel, to look after the spiritual wants of such children? With shame I confess my lack of faith in the promises of God to sustain Christ's burden-bearers. And may the Lord forgive where I have failed of bearing the yoke.

And I would fully awake to the importance of doing for Christ, as brought to view in Testimony No. 15. Why should I choose an easier path than that which my Master trod before me? Do I look for my rest here? Is it here in this life that I am to receive my portion? If so, then I am not a follower of Christ, not dead to the world. Self is not crucified, and my hope beyond this life will be like a spider's web. Awake, O my soul, sleep not at thy post. Be watchful, and be vigilant. Know the strength of thine enemy, and flee to the strong hold for refuge in the day of trouble. “Contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.” Oh! may I love the banner that has trailed in the dust almost, because the standard-bearers have fainted. But now they are lifting it high, so that its colors can be seen by all its followers, and success must follow it.

The alarm is given of the danger we are in of sleeping now when the army is on the march, that we may get so far behind as not to be able to regain our position, and others will take our place, and finally receive the reward.

F. C. CASTLE.

St. Law. Co., N. Y.