SHORT PARAGRAPHS by JOS. CLARKE

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 22, 1868

SHORT PARAGRAPHS.

By JOS. CLARKE

If we were as anxious to avoid sin, and to break off from it, as we are to have our transgressions forgiven, we would have many less sins to repent of.

There is no condemnation to those that believe. Why? Because when accused of sin they repent of it, and to them it is reproof, not condemnation; but to the sinner it is condemnation, because his proud heart does not bow to the charge; he stubbornly resists instruction. To him it is not reproof, but condemnation. If he would bow to the charge, and repent of his sins it would change the accusation into a reproof. What a power has humility.

Herod was having a nice time with his unhallowed paramour; but John the Baptist threw in a plain but kind reproof. It was a torpedo to poor Herod. Oh! says he to John, you have destroyed my peace, and the peace of my family. Had he, like David, repented, it would not have been a missile of destruction, but a herald of peace to him and his. There is a charm in godliness which is more wonderful than the fabled philosopher’s stone, which purported to turn all it touched into gold.

SOURED. When your bread is soured it is unfit for use. When a certain political giant soured because he was not nominated for the presidency, he ruined himself for either party. So of the father, or mother, or teacher, or friend. When they sour you almost despise them.

When the patience fails, sit still, wait, be silent. Do not speak. Do not sour. Watch, pray, love God and his people. Do not sour; it will ruin you, and all you have under your influence. It is not a trifle, a mere pecadillo, to sour; it will as effectually ruin you as would adultery, or murder, or theft, if not overcome.

If you would harden the heart, you have only to neglect prayer and watchfulness, or allow it to degenerate into a mere form. A worldly spirit will come in, which will make your heart as hard as the enemy can make it. You can, at the same time, by a careful moral exterior, maintain a fair standing in many churches, and be much beloved by the world. It is very easy to harden the heart.

To be patient, two things are requisite, especially.

One is, do right yourself at all events, and under all disadvantages. The next is, to bear with others who do wrong; not to let it disturb your mind so as to be excited, or provoked. There are other things, but these are the main qualifications. All is to be done in the fear and love of God.

If you would teach children the fear of the Lord you must love and fear him yourself. A child understands your tones better than you do. Children have an especial detestation of hypocrisy, pedantry, and difficult words. JOS. CLARKE.