RELATIVE OBLIGATION TO GOD AND MAN.
By Adolphus Smith
As a people, we have adopted a system of benevolence, approved of the Lord, and sufficient, I believe, in carrying forward the great work of preparing a people to receive the seal of the living God. By this system, the necessity for donation parties, ever a curse to the church, is obviated, as are also gift enterprises, lotteries, personal donations, as the reward of catering to the unsanctified human heart, &c. But, though our system of benevolence is as perfect as can well be devised, it is not an easy matter to bring all Sabbath-keepers into harmonious working within its traces. Some profess to approve of the system, who, nevertheless, practically give it little credence. Satan, if possible, will so disarrange our business, as that to pay our benevolence were seemingly impossible. I have a dollar in my hand and duty says, “Pay your benevolence;” but Satan says, “You are owing that amount to A., and although it is not due just yet, unless you pay it now, it may bother you to get hold of another dollar in time to meet your obligation.” For a moment I yield, but while on my way to see A., the tempter says, “Your flour is nearly gone, and your family may suffer before you can get another dollar.” But conscience says, “You have some flour on hand, and many other things to make your family comfortable; you have health also, and an unfailing friend in Christ, who, if you serve him faithfully, will ever provide for you; pay your benevolence.” I decide to pay one-half dollar. But before I have time to act upon my resolution, my money is gone; my debt undischarged; my family unsupplied, and my s. b. unpaid. I persuade myself to think I will have some more money in a few days, and then I will not only pay up my s. b. dues, but I will pay for some time in advance. Now, I do not say that the above is true, in all points, of any Sabbath-keeper, but I have only given it as a sample of the persistent cunning of the tempter in leading the unstable Christian away from manifest duty. There is no debt that we are under so solemn obligation to discharge as that we owe to God. If we are unable to meet our obligations at times specified, let us compromise with our creditors, ever observing to pay into the Lord’s treasury in a ratio exceeding, if possible, but never falling below, that paid to our373earthly creditors. God, who holdeth the winds in his hand, and whose are the storm, the distilling dew, and the rays of light and heat, is able to prosper us, or to withhold prosperity, as he sees will be for our good, or the glory of his name. If we do not pay our s. b. until we can spare the money just as well as not, we shall never pay at all. Unless we shut our eyes against beholding, and our ears against hearing, of the wants of the flesh, we shall never lay up aught in the heavenly treasure; we shall never be rich in faith toward God. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” If we have failed to pay our s. b. in any time past, and though we pay our present dues, yet the past, as an honest debt, must be cancelled (unless, perchance, God in his displeasure has wrested from us our earthly treasure, which we, to our hurt, have prized above our heavenly, and rendered us unable to pay), before we can stand approved in the sight of Heaven. Let us show that we love the cause of God not only in word, but in deed.”
ADOLPHUS SMITH.
Ottawa Co., Mich.