Is my Name There? by L. D. COMINGS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 24, 1871

“Is my Name There?”

By L. D. COMINGS

In a school which I attended, prizes were offered for the best maps drawn by hand, and I eagerly strove to win one of them. The decisive day came. My name was not called, and disappointment filled my heart. I had come so near the mark. My work was pronounced excellent. One blot—just one blot—had caused a failure.

This incident has often served to illustrate to me things of more momentous import. I read of another book wherein are written names among which I would gladly have my own, and if it be not therein written, there is no next time, no chance to try again.

How much time, how much thought do we give to these subjects of thrilling import? What eager strivings! what expenditures of time and comfort, and money, and even health, to secure some earthly gain or honor; yet how little to this, our great, eternal well-being! That blot, too, which had caused the blight of my fond hopes, how many lessons I learned therefrom. As I looked back upon my past life, I could see no page without its blot; no day without its sin. I thought, How can I be saved; for “if a man offend in one point he is guilty of all.” Can any good deeds ever efface those stains? Nay; but “the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.”

I thought as I read these words, Shall one blot be found against my name, one sin be loved, and at last I be weighed in the balance and found wanting? The greatest desire of my heart is to be cleansed from all sin, yes, every sin; so that I can from the heart feel to submit myself and all my interests into the hands of the Lord, and say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Show me the path of duty and I will walk therein, with meekness and godly fear. Oh! to be found bearing some humble part in this last work of mercy to fallen man, doing something for Jesus, who has done so much for me. And I hope one day it will be my happiness to look upon the Lamb, as it had been slain, to remember the time when he sought me and called my name, and to cast my crown at his feet, and raise my joyful song unto him that loved me and gave himself for me.

L. D. COMINGS.

Sullivan Co., N. H.