Gray and Worldly by M. E. Piper

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 21, 1871

“Gray and Worldly.”

By M. E. Piper

THESE words were written me of a friend, of whose spiritual condition I had inquired; and what a pang it sent to my heart! Must I believe it of one who has once tasted so freely of heavenly things, who has known what sore afflictions mean, and passed through the fire, leaning on the arm of a living God? Can it be that at length he could so far forget his high obligations as to depart from the lowly, narrow way his Saviour trod, and turn to the weak, vain things of earth, preferring the pleasure of sin for a season, to that enduring substance which fadeth not away? I could almost say, Impossible, if I did not realize how surely the power of the enemy is increasing, and with what vigilance he works, to deceive if possible even the very elect. Knowing where to place his cloven foot, he takes advantage of the weakness of this, and covers the idol of that, until actual sin is looked upon as but innocent pleasure.

Yet will not God's people learn wisdom? Will not the downfall of many admonish a few? Shall we give Satan a foothold by parleying with temptation? No! away with his deceitful devices; rather let us deny self, the lusts of the flesh, the pride of life, and patiently continue in well-doing, satisfied with the joy that comes through cheerful performance of duty for Christ's sake.

Better, ah, yes! better be seeking the bread of Heaven and the water of life to distribute to needy souls around us, than feeding the soul on husks and chaff, the vanities of earth, and at last be weighed in the balances, and found wanting.

M. E. PIPER.

Calhoun Co., Mich.