Rejecting the Truth by Addie McWilliams

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 15, 1875

Rejecting the Truth.

By Addie McWilliams

A FEARFUL responsibility rests upon those who hear the third angel's message; and there is danger in trifling with the mercy of God and rejecting his warnings. Some over two years ago, during a course of lectures given by one of our ministers in Macona Co., Iowa, one family consisting of ten persons became interested in the truth, and were “almost persuaded,” if not quite, that “these things were so.” But when the minister spoke of the commandments and the Sabbath, one of their church associates, “a good Methodist,” said, “These are the people I told you of; they worship the Sabbath, and reject the Saviour,” and much more equally as absurd and untrue.

From this time, the mother, who was the leading mind of the family, took a decided turn, and was as much opposed to, as she had hitherto been in favor of, the truth. The minister pleaded the necessity of obedience to the commandments of God in order to insure his favor; but the mother said she knew she was accepted of God, and was living in his favor. As evidence that her course was right in his sight, she said that the Lord had given her a kind husband and eight children, all blessed with perfect health. She had sought “first the kingdom of God,” and worldly prosperity had been “added” unto her. The eldest son, however, embraced the truth, in consequence of which he met with opposition from his mother. Other members of the family believed, but were held back by the mother, who had had the light of God's truth presented for her acceptance, but would not yield.

Let us look at the sad sequel. Thirteen months passed away, and she was called to mourn over the death of a daughter. A little more than another year rolled its round, and her second and youngest son, a dutiful and loving lad, the pride and dependence of that fond mother, and the staff of the father's age, is borne to her arms a dripping, lifeless corpse. He had gone without a moment's warning to the cold embrace of that last of enemies, death. And what seemed more strange than all, the same minister who had brought to her the message of truth carried to her her lifeless boy, although not residing in that place. On being told that he was dead, she exclaimed, Those feet are on the other shore! He is with Jesus! Still, when it was intimated that persons after having been in the water two hours had been restored, she was anxious that every means should be used to bring him back to life. Was it not inconsistent, and even cruel, to try to bring that son from the presence of the Saviour to the sorrow and care of mortal life again? oldest son, on hearing of the sad accident, hastened to the scene of mourning. Mother, said he, why is this? She replied, I do not know. He then referred her to the rejected commandments, quoting the words, “I am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”

From this sad circumstance, let others take warning how they turn a deaf ear to the voice of mercy and truth, lest the day come when they shall weep and lament for “their miseries that shall come upon them;” when they shall hear from the Almighty, “I have called, and ye refused. Ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my reproof;” wherefore, “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.”

ADDIE McWILLIAMS.

Soldier Valley, June 28, 1875.