p. 3 | God's Word by A. M. L.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 19, 1871

God's Word.

By A. M. L.

How little is the word of God understood! how poorly appreciated its beauty! God has in his loving-kindness preserved to us the history of the creation of the world, the fall of man, and the plan of sacrifices instituted by him, foreshadowing the suffering of his Son in due time for the redemption of the fallen race, given us examples of holy living in the primitive age, warnings for his people in that age, prophecies for them, and not forgetting us away down in the end of the world, has inspired his servants to write out his will so clearly that it seems that any one desiring to know the truth can see and understand.

The precious word! as I take it up and hold it in my hand, I tremble; for I feel it comes from the Lord of Hosts. How sacred! How thoroughly should its teachings be studied, how carefully followed!

What can be said of that people who profess to be living out the present truth? Is the depth of its meaning taken hold of as for life itself, and in gratitude to God who has done so much for us? Are its precepts lived out or have they not yet found their way to the heart, but only reached the understanding? Are we only convinced, but not converted? We need to try ourselves by the word, measure ourselves by it, not comparing ourselves with others, but keeping to the standard, trying ourselves by that. How is the message to go forth in its power unless those who profess the truth live up to their profession? How, unless upon them, can God let down his Holy Spirit in power to give edge to the truth spoken? Now while probation lingers, while the Spirit and the bride say, Come, let each one that thinks he has an interest in these things, take hold of the work anew. By God's grace such will overcome. The world, the flesh, and the devil, are our foes. If all we have and are, is on the altar, it will, by God's help, become easy work. But if only partially converted, the battle goes hard. It is up-hill business and we may fail at last.

How disappointed will those be who think they love the truth, and cry Lord, Lord, when they come up to the time when they shall be spewed out of his mouth. Let it not be said of us, Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting; but may we be enabled to say, “This is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us.”

A. M. L.

Palermo, N. Y.