GEO. O. STATES by GEO. O. STATES

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1916

GEO. O. STATES

By GEO. O. STATES

Patience

GEO. O. STATES

I BELIEVE that one of the severest trials the remnant church will pass through will be in developing the grace of patience. At the coming of Christ, God's people are to be “without fault before the throne of God.” As Satan sees them attaining this standard, he will work with all power to lead them to lose their patience and go into sin.

“The Lord has shown me that his grace is sufficient for all our trials; and although they are greater than ever before, yet if we trust wholly in God, we can overcome every temptation, and through his grace come off victorious.” —Early Writings, p. 46.

I recently passed through an experience which I will briefly relate for the

encouragement of others who may be passing through similar trials:—

Circumstances made it necessary for me to stay for a time in a home where there were three children. Soon after I came, a sister who was going away on a visit left her two children at the same place. You can judge of my feelings when night came and I wanted to be quiet, to have five children from six to fourteen years of age performing all sorts of pranks. After about a week, one night I was alone with them when I heard a little six-year-old crying bitterly. I went out and asked her what was the matter. She told me that her brother had thrown her down and hurt her. Feeling that something should be done, I gave the boy a pretty straight talk.

The next morning I awoke about daylight, and began to reflect on what had happened the night before. I felt that what I had said to the boy was very proper, but did I manifest the spirit of Christ? The more I thought of it, the more the gentle Spirit impressed me that I had failed. When I thought the boy would be awake, I went to his room, and sitting down on his bed, I took his hand and looked into his bright eyes as I said, “My dear boy, I was unkind in the way I spoke to you last night.” It touched him, and he said, “Grandpa, you did not say anything but what I needed. I did tease sister.”

There is one thought I wish to impress upon every one who reads this article, and that is that in dealing with the erring it is not to give them what they deserve, but if possible to “restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

This experience caused me to reflect on the past. When the dear Lord was giving me health to visit our churches, and I found things far from what they should be among the remnant people, many times I reproved wrongs without manifesting the spirit of Christ! Like Peter, I “followed afar off,” until finally the Lord had to drop me out of public work. These long years have given me time for serious reflection.

It is truly hard to learn the lessons we need. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out.” Rom. 11: 33.

The Lord loves you and me, dear reader. He has manifested that love by the unspeakable gift of his Son, but he sees, oh, so much about us that will shut us out of the kingdom! He wants to save each of us, but cannot do it with all our sins.

“God has shown me that he gave his people a bitter cup to drink, to purify and cleanse them. It is a bitter draft, and they can make it still more bitter by murmuring, complaining, and repining. But those who receive it thus, must have another draft, for the first does not have its designed effect upon the heart. And if the second does not effect the work, then they must have another, and another, until it does have its designed effect, or they may be left filthy, impure in heart. I saw that this bitter cup can be sweetened by patience, endurance, and prayer, and that it will have its designed effect upon the hearts of those who thus receive it, and God will be honored and glorified.”—Early Writings, p. 47.

He will never send a trial but he sends strength to endure; so let us lean on the everlasting arms, for he has told us, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33.

“He will lead us on to certain victory. What God promises, he is able at any time to perform. And the work he gives his people to do, he is able to accomplish by them. If we live a life of perfect obedience, his promises will be fulfilled toward us. God requires his people to shine as lights in the world. It is not merely the ministers who are required to do this, but every disciple of Christ. Their conversation should be heavenly. And while they enjoy communion with God, they will wish to have intercourse with their fellow men, in order to express by their words and acts the love of God which animates their hearts. In this way they will be lights in the world, and the light transmitted through them will not go out or be taken away. It will indeed become darkness to those who will not walk in it; but it will shine with increasing brightness on the path of those who will obey and walk in the light.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. II, pp. 122, 123.

I love to think of Christ when he was here in the flesh. While he was tempted in all points as we are, he did not yield. There is not a temptation that we have but he was called to endure the same. He relied upon the Father, and angels were sent to strengthen him. Thus it may be with us if we plead for help.

Cedaredge, Colo.