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THE CONFLICT OF LIFE

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 20, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 16.

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THE CONFLICT OF LIFE.

By Eliza H. Morton

In the deep recesses of every human soul there is a strange game of moral destiny being played, and a mighty conflict between truth and error ever going on. Man is frail and mortal; but he has naturally some good traits, noble tendencies, pure aspirations, and faint desires for a higher and holier life. The Spirit of God works upon his mind, and in early youth when his life is fresh and joyous God’s glorious footstool seems encircled with rainbows, and he walks forth upon it with an unclouded brow and a firm, elastic step. Then it is that the great question of good and evil is pressed to the gate, and right and wrong wrestle with each other. His soul is the stake, and during his whole life the conflict is carried on and remains unsettled.
In this great and awful struggle with sin Satan takes an active part. He paints the pleasures of this life in glowing colors, and works with malicious art upon the human passions. Man’s guardian angel stands by his side, points to the glories of the world to come, and seeks to strengthen the good resolves which struggle for the mastery in his soul. If man yields to the enemy, how sad the result! Purity, integrity, hope, peace of mind, all are gone; life is wasted—destiny ruined—everything lost. Angels weep—Satan rejoices.
On the other hand, if man resists the evil influences brought to bear upon him, sets his face as a flint “Zionward,” and is faithful to the end, how glorious and rich the reward! His feet shall tread the golden floor of the “King’s palace;” his ears drink in the soul-thrilling strains of that music which is as “the sound of many waters;” his eyes behold the “King in his beauty;” and he shall taste of that fullness of joy known only to the redeemed.
O man! play well thy part. Be the winner in the great game of life. Thou canst be victorious. It is no game of chance. The result is in your own hands. It is for you to say which you will have—life or death, immortality or destruction. Choose now. Seek durable riches—Heaven and eternal glory. ELIZA H. MORTON. Allen’s Corner, Me.