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ETERNAL LIFE

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

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 13.

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ETERNAL LIFE.

By R. F. Cotterell

Who can estimate the value of eternal life? a life of pure felicity, of perfect happiness, without a shade of sorrow? No trouble, no sickness, pain, nor death; and this without end. When countless ages shall have rolled away, it is still the same; eternal life, eternal blessedness and joy are still before us.
Who believes this? Who believes that there is such a life for us, depending on the choice we make, and the life we lead here? Men love life, and are seeking happiness. The present life they cling to, with great pertinacity. Nothing is more dreaded than the close of this mortal life. All that they have, would they give, rather than part with life—a life so poor, and painful, and brief, at the best. The greatest anxiety is manifest to prolong it for a few days. Why is it, then, that men are so indifferent in respect to the life to come? Why so little care and anxiety to secure eternal life? Do they believe it is offered them on condition? Many say they do; and yet how little care is manifested to secure it. From their conduct, one would infer that eternal life is something very easily obtained, while the present life demands the most assiduous and constant watchfulness and care. Can it be that they believe what they say they do, about a future, eternal life?
How is it with us, brethren? We not only profess to believe that there is a future, eternal life for us, on condition of obeying the Lord fully, keeping all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; but also that a very brief period of time will close our probation, and decide our destiny for life or for death. Where are our interest and our care, our heart and our treasure? What occupies our thoughts in our seasons of meditation? What is our conduct and conversation before the world? Are we anxious to do our duty to our fellow men, to save them, if possible, and, at all events, to have our garments clear of their blood? Or do we manifest the same worldly tendency that they do? Do we believe what we say we do, and act accordingly? The Lord help us to believe and act.
R. F. COTTERELL.