Conversation by JOS. CLARKE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 27, 1873

Conversation.

By JOS. CLARKE

“Let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ.” Phil. 1:27.

How full of excellent precepts are the Holy Scriptures. On every point we find explicit directions, and could we always remember to carry them out in our practice, how good it would be for us.

The above quotation, if always lived up to, would save us many a slip, and many a mortification. How many a tempted saint has mourned and wept. Alas! alas! that I should have forgotten this sweet injunction of Paul, when it is so clear, so distinct, so decisive.

Alas! that, when I had opportunity, I did not warn and instruct, or at least give a serious turn to the conversation. How often is the past regretted when some trifling theme has been discussed, or the precious time wasted in indifferent or insipid conversation, which might have been spent profitably in getting out the truths of the Bible. Alas! how many have passed out of sight, who might have heard the truth, who can never again listen to the living voice.

Continually, the hungry tomb is closing over the dead, and cutting short the probation of many; no more will they hear the precious voice of inspiration calling to repentance. Say, reader, has no one passed to the grave during the past year, within the sphere of your influence, who might have been helped by you?

That young person, so full of life, or that older one, who had seen more of life, whose coffined corpse was yesterday lowered into the narrow house, appointed for all the living, have you prayed for, and labored for, him? have you no reflection of personal neglect?

Our conversation, how important; the devoted minister enters the pulpit, only with fervent prayer, that every word may be with wisdom and power, and shall not we, who occupy more private positions, seek that our daily conversation may tell for the good of those who come within the sphere of our influence?

Instead of this, how often it happens that unprofitable conversation fills up the time, or, perhaps, improper subjects come in, and precious opportunities are lost forever, and those who, perhaps, longed for a word in season were disappointed.

Changes take place, and our associates are removed from our sight, one, by death, another, by removal, or other cause, and have we no sharp pangs of sorrow that these loved associates, now withdrawn from us forever, saw so little in us of concern for their salvation?

How great the promises to those who order their conversation aright; the subject here noticed is often alluded to in the Bible. Let us consider all the texts in which it is mentioned, and seek, hourly and constantly, to so order our conversation that we may glorify God and save souls.

A word in season for every one, how precious it would be; and if every one who professes the name of Christ would do this, how great, how important, would the result be. Let us each and all pray for wisdom, and love, and grace, to direct. JOS. CLARKE.