Our Aim by J. Russell Mitchell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 3, 1907

Our Aim

By J. Russell Mitchell

YOUNG friend, have you paused long enough to consider whether you have an aim in life, and what it is? God is not pleased to have us drift upon life's ocean with no haven in view. Can we hope to land safely? If we could but realize the agony of our Saviour as he hung upon the cross, the wounds he bore on our behalf, and fully sense the cost of man's salvation, we would go to Jesus in earnest prayer and cry, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

Earth is rushing on to its doom; as the pen of Inspiration describes it, the earth is “waxing old as a garment,” and with it, millions of precious souls are daily perishing. When God has entrusted to us such a glorious truth, one which is able to make “wise unto salvation,” should we not feel that their blood will be upon us unless we faithfully show to them the Way of Life? Yea, verily, this will be true, for we read in God's own Word: “When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Eze. 33:8. What an awful doom awaits the unfaithful stewards!

No one who knows, or has had opportunity to know, the precious truths of the third angel's message can be free before God unless he has faithfully done his duty. “Said the angel, ‘If light come, and that light is set aside or rejected, then comes condemnation and the frown of God.’”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, page 116.

But in order to do the most effectual service for the Master, we need a preparation—a Christian education. None but those who are at the battle's front can fully appreciate this need. Satan is a vigilant foe, and all the powers of darkness are arrayed against the truth. Says the apostle, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places.” Eph. 6:12, margin.

God has given to this people excellent institutions of learning, and every young man and woman who has determination and faith in God can receive the necessary preparation. The writer can testify to the excellence of our schools. Many, many lessons there learned will serve as bulwarks against the encroachments of the evil one. God has entrusted us with talents; shall we develop and devote these to him, and be the means of saving some soul? or shall we be as the wicked and slothful servant who hid his Lord's talent?

God's words to us through the testimony of his Spirit are these: “I saw that Satan is a vigilant foe. . . . He well knows that there is no other class that can do as much good as young men and young women who are consecrated to God. The youth, if right, could sway a mighty influence. Preachers, or laymen advanced in years, can not have one half the influence upon the young that the youth, devoted to God, can have upon their associates. They ought to feel that a responsibility rests upon them to do all they can to save their fellow mortals, even at a sacrifice of their pleasure and natural desires. . . . O that they might make known to them the path of holiness, and by prayer and entreaty win even one soul to Christ! What a noble enterprise! One soul to praise God through eternity! One soul to enjoy happiness and everlasting life! One gem in their crown to shine as a star forever and ever!” Some young people will yield to God and fully realize this bliss. Let us ask ourselves the question, Will such be my blessed experience?

J. RUSSELL MITCHELL.