This World, and the Next.
By J. Q. Fox
THERE is no want of evidence of the fact that this is a fast and fearful age. Crime is rampant. Fashion, as ever, takes sides with iniquity and corruption. The cesspools of vice, now more than ever numerous, are teeming with votaries from all grades of society. Men, notorious for crime, and professed Christians, even ministers of the gospel, enjoy alike the sparkling cup and the giddy dance. All unite in their rebellion against the Most High; and the true religion of Jesus Christ is put far into the shade, or held only in name. “None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity and speak lies.” Isa. 59: 4. And yet, with this sad picture before their eyes, some, even of those who have been blessed with the light of present truth, will talk of enjoying the world, and consider it a great sacrifice to give it all up for the truth. How strange! And yet can we wonder, that the great enemy of mankind who presumed to offer this same temptation to our divine Lord, should make it effectual in the cases of many of his professed followers? Alas for poor human nature—so short-sighted, so depraved! Even S. D. Adventists are in danger of so far losing the influence of the truths that we profess, as to partake of the spirit of these times. Especially are we that are young and inexperienced in danger here. Some of us are disposed to think the cross too heavy, and to excuse ourselves from bearing it, seemingly unconscious that it is the pride of the natural heart that would draw us after the flattery and honors of the world, and which, if left unsubdued, will prove our ruin. Some are satisfied with being half-hearted in the cause of God, with merely having a name with his people. But let us not deceive ourselves. This will avail us nothing. By assuming to be Christ’s followers we take upon ourselves great responsibility, and rather than prove false to our profession, we had better never have named his name. Such had better enjoy this world; only, alas for them! it will prove to be all a deception, and they, when it is too late to retrace their steps, will learn the awful truth that they have grasped at a shadow and lost eternal substance. Oh! how it becomes us to deal truly with our own souls, and see to it that all our sins go beforehand to judgment, that we may have a clear record when our cases shall come in review before the Judge of all the earth. It is a fearful fact that many will not do this, will not be aroused to a sense of their danger, until the final disposition of their case is made, and they are weighed in the balances and found wanting. Let us pause now, and ask the question, Shall this unhappy condition be ours? When tempted to sell our birthright so cheap, let us for a moment think of the immortal inheritance, the glories of the kingdom of God. Let the imagination feast upon the blissful scenes of the glorified new earth, and thank our Heavenly Father that all this may be ours to enjoy eternally. “Let me go, for bliss eternal
Lures my soul away, away;
And the victor’s song triumphant
Thrills my heart, I cannot stay.” It is only when our minds are blinded by the god of this world, our sensibilities blunted to a sense of eternal things, that we are in danger of giving place to a thought so reckless; for there is not an intelligent creature in the world, who, with a lively sense of the infinite worth of the blessings God has so graciously offered us, would chose instead the fading, transient pleasures of earth. That all will realize something of their value we cannot doubt, but with many it will be when it is too late. Our great enemy will then be willing that we should know what we have lost. Then a just and holy God, who has so kindly and faithfully warned and intreated us will in justice fulfill his word: “Because I have called and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then they shall call upon me, but I will not67answer: they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.” Prov. 1: 24-28. Truly, we are living in a fearful time. Satan’s hosts are astir. But a gracious God will not forsake his faithful, trusting children. And here comes to mind a blessed promise relating to the time of trouble but just before us. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him. A strong current is setting downward to perdition. It is a case of life and death with us, and shall we sleep on our oars? The contest has been long and fearfully raging, but there is no doubt as to the final issue. God’s cause will triumph. Truth will inevitably bear away the victory. Guard the citadel, O, Christian! Keep the heart with all diligence. Cultivate the principles of Heaven, and be in earnest in the matter, lest you be swept from the platform of truth by the fast swelling flood of evil. J. Q. Fox.
Madison Co., N. Y.