Let your Light Shine by Jas. W. Brisbin.

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

Let your Light Shine.

By Jas. W. Brisbin.

THE truth found me in poverty. The Lord has wonderfully blessed me. His great mercies have been extended toward me; in that, while I was yet in rebellion against him, going the downward road to perdition, he called after me by his faithful servants, and has planted my feet upon the firm foundation of the truth. Now what shall I render to my God for all he has done for me? Shall I sit idly down, congratulating myself upon my fortunate position, while fellow-mortals, all around me are perishing for want of truth? No. The Lord calls for laborers. The harvest is great, but laborers are few. We have received these great and glorious truths, through the ceaseless energies of tried and faithful servants. We are rejoicing in the fruits of their labor, and have we nothing to do in this great work? We are admonished by the word to put on the whole armor, to fight manfully the fight of faith, to have the sword of the Spirit. This means work. Weapons are not put into our hands to rust in idleness. Many of us have been elevated from poverty to comfortable circumstances in life, all through the mercies and blessing of God; and shall we be content with giving a little of our spare means to the cause, while others, are doing all the work? Shall we hide our light under a bushel? A light set upon a hill cannot be hid. Have we elevated our light? How far does it penetrate the moral darkness? Who of our neighbors have felt its influence? Who are the better for the light we have? What are we doing for the cause? Are we gathering with Christ? or are we scattering abroad? This is a gathering message. Have we the mind of Christ? He went about doing good. Our hearts should be so filled with the love of God, that our neighbors will feel its influence, and realize that we have indeed an interest in their salvation.

JAS. W. BRISBIN.