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GANGRENE OF THE SOUL

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 19, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 47.

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GANGRENE OF THE SOUL.

By Elder K. C. Russell

ELDER K. C. RUSSELL.
In 2 Tim. 2:17 are recorded the names of two persons who were afflicted with this terrible disease. See margin to text and Revised Version.
From reliable medical authority I quote the following statement regarding the disease: “Gangrene, or death of the tissues, is frequently a very formidable condition, and one which requires prompt and efficient treatment. The danger is not only from extension of the disease, but from absorption of the elements of the dead tissue.”
What alarm a knowledge of the presence of this awful malady in our physical system would excite. We would at once seek to obtain the most effectual means to eradicate from our bodies this deadly malady.
If we would be so exercised over the presence of this disease in our physical bodies, and put forth such desperate efforts to have it removed, how much greater should be our alarm when we learn that the disease has fastened upon our souls, and with what earnest efforts we should seek to have every germ of the disease removed.
It may be of interest to know the symptoms of gangrene. Again it is said by medical authorities that one of the first symptoms of this disease is great sensitiveness to the touch; and as it reaches a more advanced stage, the sense of feeling disappears.
The first symptom manifests itself in the soul when the conditions are of such a nature that the person becomes offended. The offense may be caused by some unkind remark by a brother or sister, or in various other ways, or it may have its origin in the imagination of the afflicted one. The symptoms of gangrene of the soul are often seen when things do not move in the church or in the Sabbath-school as the diseased one thinks they should.
Dear reader, are you now experiencing the first symptom of gangrene of the soul, which is great sensitiveness to the touch. If you are, do not delay to employ those means that the Lord has provided by which the disease may be effectually cured.
When the most serious symptom manifests itself, there is a lack of feeling. This symptom is apparent in the soul when the individual can remain away from the services of the Lord's house without feeling any remorse of conscience. It is seen, also, when one can disregard the light God has given concerning the care of the body, with tithing, family and secret prayer, and a daily study of the Bible, without any sense of condemnation.
When a soul reaches that stage, it is in a critical condition, and only the most radical measures will be able to produce a cure.
A cure can be effected only when the patient is willing earnestly to seek God's pardon for his sins, and will continue to seek the Lord until he obtains that peace and blessing that the Saviour longs to bestow.
When we reach a point in our experience where to be right with God is our greatest concern, regardless of what some one else has done, then it is that our great sensitiveness to touch will disappear, and we shall be preserved from reaching a point where we shall become insensible to right and wrong.