p. 151 | PREACH THE WORD by J. B. Frisbie

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 11, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 19.

PREACH THE WORD.

By J. B. Frisbie

John Brown, author of a concordance, wrote on 2 Tim. 4: 1–6:—

“Since, therefore, you are so much surrounded by enemies, and so richly furnished with the infinitely excellent and useful oracles of God, and the gifts and graces of his Spirit, I solemnly charge you, as in the immediate presence of the all-seeing God and heart-searching Saviour, and as you will answer to him, when he shall appear in all the glories of his divine ... dignity to judge the world, preach the inspired truths of God with the utmost earnestness, diligence, and perseverance, on the Lord’s day or other occasions, in times of peace or of persecutions, in public or in private, as often as ye have opportunity; and in a free, open, and faithful declaration of the whole counsel of God—with all meekness, patience, constancy, and perseverance—apply them, as occasion offers, for counseling, exhorting, and encouraging believers to go on in the way of righteousness.”

“For, as already some Jews, so hereafter many pretended Christians, being through their own pride, lusts, passions, and prejudices, provoked at and enraged against the wholesome, pure, unmixed doctrines of the gospel, will not endure to hear them, but will seek out and multiply to themselves such false teachers as will tickle their ears with new and unscriptural notions, agreeable to their vitiated taste; and through their love of novelties, to gratify their curiosity and corrupt inclinations, will turn a deaf ear to the truths of the gospel, and eagerly listen to, and favorably embrace, every vain, empty, or senseless story, to amuse themselves and keep their consciences easy. Be therefore on your guard against such persons and their errors, and take every opportunity to confute them, and establish the truth in opposition to them; watch against all temptation, over your own spirit and conduct, and for the souls committed to your care, in every circumstance. Bear, with meekness and patience, whatever tribulations your adversaries bring upon you; and notwithstanding all their attempts to dishearten and silence you, go on in the name and strength of the Lord, thoroughly performing all the parts of your ministry with fidelity, care, and diligence, to the edification of believers, and the conviction of gainsayers.”

“For, as for me, I am on the point of pouring out my blood, as a martyr for Christ, and in confirmation of the doctrines which I have preached.”

I think this so good, that I have taken the trouble to copy it for the Review from the notes of an old Scotch Bible, and send it to you. J. B. FRISBIE.