PATIENCE by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 18, 1869

PATIENCE.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

“Not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” Rom. v, 3.

Patience is an admirable trait of character. All admire it. Meekness, which much resembles it, is said to be in the sight of God of great price. 1 Pet. iii, 4. In Christian experience patience is a very essential thing. The apostle in Romans v, places it at the head of the Christian graces. Then how important that we have a proper amount of that which will work for us patience; namely, tribulation. The apostle viewed it of so much importance as to exclaim, “We glory in tribulations,” for he knew it worked patience. Yet that tribulation in every one does not work patience is evident.

Tribulation comes from different causes, and works differently on different individuals. We may suffer tribulation which is brought upon ourselves by our wrongs. “For what glory is it if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently, but if when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” 1 Pet. ii, 20. With one it works fretfulness, wrath, and all manner of hateful feelings; with the other it works patience, meekness, gentleness, kindness, and every good feeling.

Now we want tribulation from the right source, and we want it to affect us in a right manner, if we would be benefited by it.

The receiving of the word of God led the disciples to occupy a position so different from the world, that the world hated them, and thus caused the tribulation. John xvi, 33; xvii, 8–11, 14. In James i, we read, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass.” The 25th verse gives us a clue to what this word is: “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” Verses 21–25.

Now I would suggest, if any would have tribulation from a source that God can approve, that the commandments of God be strictly kept by them; and if they would be properly affected by it, keep also the faith of Jesus. Study his character and pattern after him. Then you will be of the number referred to in Rev. xiv, 12: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” And the promise of Rev. iii, 10, will be yours: “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth.” May the Lord pity and help us.

S. N. HASKELL.