The Testimonies | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 18, 1883

"The Testimonies."

UNDER this head Elder Albert Stone gives his experience in the Advent faith, and closes with the following excellent remarks on the subject of bearing reproach for the sake of the truth:—

Dearly beloved in the Lord, let us earnestly seek that divine illumination that shall enable us to decide this question, and decide it rightly. Let us diligently search our own hearts; peradventure there is an idol set up, a stumbling-block of iniquity. If so, by reading Eze. 14 : 1-11, you may learn your danger and your duty.

The dread of reproach is an enemy that endangers the soul. Many never receive the truth on that account, and it has turned many away from the truth. In the estimation of unbelief, we, as a people, are deserving of reproach. To seek for the old paths, and walk therein, that we may find rest to our souls, is pre-eminently unfashionable in this age.

Christ, while performing his earthly mission, was the subject of continual reproach; but he did not leave his work on that account. He had harder things than that to meet on his way to the throne of David.

Reproach for Christ's sake, patiently endured, is a passport to Heaven. Moses was heir to the throne of Egypt, but he relinquished his claim, for the reason that he saw greater wealth in the reproach of Christ than in all the treasures of Egypt. Not that there is actual wealth in reproach, any more than in a railroad ticket. The traveler finds use for his ticket. It is a sign of cash deposited. So the traveler to Mount Zion is known by the sign of reproach. It is just as good at the gates of the Heavenly City, as gold at the ticket office.

O ye would-be travelers to Mount Zion in the midst of the perils of the last days, seek not to shun reproach and please the world, lest you grieve the Son of God. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked."