The Cost by M. L. Huntley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 26, 1871

The Cost.

By M. L. Huntley

THERE are many who are delighted with the beautiful harmony of the Scriptures, when their attention is called to them in the light of present truth. They find many things therein contained which they had never thought of before, and the Bible seems like a new book, filled as it is with instruction, and matters of thrilling interest. New light and beauty shine from its pages, where all before was dark and mysterious, and at first they seem to receive the truth with joy; at least until the time comes when to be consistent they must take some step involving sacrifice and self-denial. This frequently causes them to hesitate. There appear to be lions in the way, and they scarcely dare to proceed farther. Obstacles arise which appear insurmountable, and we frequently hear them say, “I would gladly do so and so if I could; but as I am situated, I cannot.” In comparison to the way they have viewed it, perhaps the way to life looks straight and narrow, and they hardly feel able to walk therein. To them the cross of Christ looks heavy. Perhaps their strength seems insufficient to enable them to lift it.

It is well to count the cost, but care should be taken that we count it right. If we count the cost of the life which is to come, we ought also to count the cost of seeking the life which now is. For the former we must make some seeming sacrifice, endure a few days of self-denial and cross-bearing, and perhaps lose the friendship of some we consider dear; but in return we may have everlasting life, around which cluster joy, pleasure, and happiness, which words cannot express. But the latter—what will that cost? “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it,” and “the wages of sin is death.” If we choose to pay this awful price, we still must bear the suffering and pain consequent to this life, and may be obliged to yield it up at any moment. The martyrs counted the cost, and found nothing too dear to give in the cause of truth and right. They counted not even their lives dear unto themselves, that they might finish their course with joy, and in the face of torture and death would not do what many will now do for the sake of convenience and worldly gain. We count them happy who endured; and if the cause of God then was worthy of such sacrifices and self-denial, why so many faint-hearted when called by the word of God to be peculiar and different from the world now? Every good and every perfect gift is from God; and in him we move and have our being. Yet how often we hear matters of pecuniary interest urged as reasons for not yielding obedience to the just requirements of God. All they are, and have, or may hope to obtain, they owe to Him, and yet they scarcely dare to obey him and rely upon his promises, which are numerous and all-sufficient.

The psalmist says, “I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.” He who depends upon his own exertions alone, leans upon a frail support. If the favor of God rests upon them, they will be highly productive; but if his frown, they must fail of producing any good results. “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.”

M. L. HUNTLEY.

Boston, Aug., 1871.