Confession of Spiritual Lukewarmness
By Joseph Clarke
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel impelled by a sense of duty, to confess to you that I have, for a number of years past, been insensibly falling into a state of lukewarmness and stupidity, having only a name to live. Within a few months past, I have been discovering that the world was gaining power over me; and I began to see that the love of the world was causing me to neglect duty, or to perform it with distaste or reluctance. Among other symptoms of decay, I began to neglect writing for our dear REVIEW, and what I did write, was plainly indicative of spiritual decay. Evil surmising, jealousy, and other kindred evils, sprang to new life in my corrupt heart; and as I began to discover this, I felt occasional alarm, but as often relapsed into lukewarmness. Of late, the article entitled “Coming Suddenly,” again awoke me, in some degree; and soon after, the notice of the meeting at Wright, and the call from Bro. White for the backslidden to attend it, seemed to be a call to me. I was privileged to attend this camp-meeting, and it has indeed been a blessing to me, and I shall, with the help of God, retain the blessing. I do not claim to have attained any great eminence of piety, by means of the privilege of attending this meeting; but I begin to see my danger, and now I feel183that a present struggle for the victory, without watchfulness, may be followed by a worse relapse than the former one. I thank the Lord that he has stirred up the hearts of his chosen servants, and has thrown additional light upon the work of the Saviour in the heavenly sanctuary. I thank them for their faithfulness. I believe all the remnant people of God will hear this important truth; and that all who truly love God, will be stirred to new life. I feel that it has touched my heart with some power; but so poor has been the preparation, that I realize the work is but begun. I see men as trees walking. Oh, for full salvation! the finishing touch of the heavenly Physician and Healer! I will close by saying that since returning from the meeting, I have been enabled to obtain some light and help of God, and feel greatly encouraged to strive for the complete victory. I feel more than ever the necessity of a complete work of sanctification in the heart, and am watching against my besetments, which are sure to return, unless fully overcome. I am not content with smothering the flame of sin, and an outward obedience; but will, with the help of God, entirely quench those inward fires.
JOSEPH CLARKE.