What Manner of Persons Ought ye to Be?
By C. A. Osgood
The Advent doctrine is a practical doctrine. While signs clearly show that the great day of God is very near, and that Jesus is about to return to take his people to himself, and to reward every man according to his work, those who bear the Advent name should live as though they really believed these things. They should act very differently from the world around them, very differently from what they did before they embraced the doctrine, and in some respects differently from what Christians were required to act in times past. All wise men can see readily that when a man has arrived to the age of seventy or eighty years it is no proper time to launch out extensively in the business of this life, as it was in early manhood; but the time has now come for him to make a disposal of his property, and prepare to die. So when we have come to the latest period of probationary time, how inconsistent it is for us to act as though we expected time to continue for many generations to come! There are some duties incumbent on men and Christians in all ages, times, and places, and there are others that grow out of the peculiarities of the age in which men live. In writing with regard to our conduct in these times, I shall speak of some things which have always been duties; for these become, if possible, more important than ever as “the end of all things” approaches. The behaviour of those who believe in the speedy advent of Christ should be marked with great solemnity in word and deed. This is a “grand and awful time.” Men are now being tested. A little while and the decision of each person for life or death will be made. The multitude are on the road to perdition. Satan is working “with all power and signs and lying wonders” to deceive and to destroy. Now the last call of mercy is being given. This is no time for sport or idleness, no time for jesting or foolish talking, or light reading. No! these are the times that are to try men’s souls. Ministers must not preach their chaffy productions, or cause their wit to sparkle, so as to excite mirth. No! they must be in earnest to warn the people to “flee from the wrath to come.” And private members must not be light and trifling. If they do, lookers-on will think they do not believe the doctrine. Again, we should use money or property speedily, wisely, not in extravagance, not to get more with, but as stewards of God, we should so use it that the cause of truth may be helped forward, that the warning message may speed its way to the inhabitants of the earth. Those who look for the appearing of Christ ought to be very honest, truthful, just, and benevolent. Eagerness to get rich is not becoming Christians now if it ever was. What a scandal to the precious Advent doctrine are the penurious, hard dealers, those who are always striving to get the best end of the bargain. These things show where the treasure and the heart are. Indulged in, they will shut the gates of the Holy City against them. By the grace of God we must come to regard our neighbors’ interests as sacredly as our own. Said Jesus, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Our tempers, too, ought to be regulated. This is the period of the “patience of the saints.” Now it is that we are to “seek meekness that we may be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” With some, sour tempers are constitutional; with some, they result from wrong training or wrong habits; and others are indebted to a dyspeptic stomach for them; but the cure is the grace of God, which can enable us to rejoice in tribulation, “in hope of the glory of God.” Jesus said when he came to earth before, “I am meek and lowly in heart.” “Learn of me.” “He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” He patiently “endured the contradiction of sinners against himself.” He overcame and has set down on his Father’s throne, and if we overcome we shall also sit down with him in his throne. Those who are seeking the better country, an eternal home, should not be disconcerted by the trials incident to the present life. These will not last long, but the joy of the overcomer in the new world will never end. Those who believe the third angel’s message should set the Sabbath up on high. During the days of the week it should be on the mind. All secular labor should be finished up before the sacred hour arrives, and then we should be prepared to engage in solemn, joyful worship—the worship of the great Creator. How much better is this than to have many chores undone, or to be off a number of miles from home traveling, when the Sabbath commences. This slackness about getting ready for the Sabbath is just the same as to say to beholders, “I don’t care much for the Sabbath. I think more of my business.” Truly sacred is God’s day of rest. We must take great pains to keep it holy; “call it a delight, the holy of the Lord and honorable; not doing our own way, nor finding our own pleasure, nor speaking our own words.” Then will the Lord bless us when we make the Sabbath a day of religious rejoicing, and then will people around us see that we highly prize this institution of the Lord, when we throw the secular business of the world out of our hands and hearts, till the sacred hours are over. Then shall we be in truth of those who “keep the commandments of God.” The prospect of the near approach of the day of God should excite us to “be diligent that we may be found of the Lord in peace, without spot and blameless.” How much is implied in this! Let us seek God night and day for enlightening grace that we may see our faults; and also for grace to help us to overcome them all. We have so much to overcome we must be diligent. There is not a moment to lose. We can well afford to lose the approbation of the gay, rich, and fashionable, of our neighbors, if we may finally become faultless “before the throne of God.” The nearness of the great events connected with the day of God, should urge us forward to labor faithfully and without delay for the instruction and salvation of our friends, children, and fellow-men generally. They must be saved soon if ever. May God by his Holy Spirit prepare us so to labor in his vineyard that we may finally hear the words, “Well done,” said to us, and that some now in the way to death may turn to God and gain eternal life. C. A. OSGOOD.