CONVERSATIONS, AND THE THOUGHTS SUGGESTED.
By H. C. MILLER
“WELL, we had an excellent testimony to-day, did we not?” “Oh! yes, it was good; but if you had heard it continually for three months, it would be an old thing.” The words came from one, who, to all appearance, was conforming to the instructions, and, to all appearance, with cheerfulness. But the words conveyed a feeling of weariness at continually hearing the testimony borne. As much as to say, I have complied with it; why should I be interested in hearing it? It suggested a train of thought something like this: Now these were the words of the Lord we have heard to-day; no doubt. Paul speaks of a class who are to be destroyed “because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved.” If we have received this love, will we be wearied with hearing it constantly? Why, it is the word of our Lord. Did not the reply betray a lurking feeling in the heart of ill-will toward the words of the Lord, unknown by the speaker, yet more dangerous because unknown? Will he that has received this love of the truth tire of it by its repetition? Nay, verily. I have seen one, an aged brother, who, I thought, had received the love of the truth. And I have noted his manner while listening to a sermon on the Signs of the Times, the Saints’ Inheritance, &c., subjects he had heard time and again for twenty odd years; yet the way he expressed his satisfaction, by nodding his head, by his hearty amens, by the tearful eye, showed him not tired of it yet. And then, after meeting, as he greeted his brethren, the way he spoke of the points brought out, showed his heart’s love was there. What if he had heard it till he could repeat every argument by heart, it was still the word of his Lord, and he loved it. It was saving him. And then, perhaps, he thought of the many to whom it was new, whose hearts needed to be warmed by it, and an anxious, loving hope that they would receive the love of it and be saved, added to his joy. Yes, it is truth; it is the Lord’s word; it cannot be overturned; it is food for my soul, I have lived by it for twenty years. I love to hear it still, would be his answer to your inquiry. I read of those who tremble at his word, who will be saved by it; who live “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” I read of blessings for them. But where are the blessings promised to those who tire of hearing it? God grant that we may all receive the love of it, filling our hearts, yea, making daily bread of it, that we may be saved by it. Heard it every day for six months! Praise the Lord, then, and not be as those of whom it is said, “But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept; precept upon precept; line upon line; line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go and fall backward, and be broken, and snared and taken.” Every day for six months! Then if we fail, he will be free. He can say of us, “I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending; but ye would not hear, saith the Lord.” What if we have heard, continually even? We are a forgetful people. The heart needs establishing in the present truth. What if we have conformed to the letter? Think of the many who have not heard, who are just hearing, who do not yet understand fully. Be unselfish; rejoice that the Lord, the good Shepherd, seeks all the lost sheep, and remember also that the principle is established that even pure minds need stirring up “by way of remembrance.” “Oh! may these heavenly counsels be
My ever dear delight;
And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light.
“Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,
Be thou forever near.
Teach me to love thy sacred word,
And view my Saviour there.
“Thus may thy word be dearer still,
And studied more each day;
And as it richly dwells within,
Thyself in it display.”