Almost Persuaded by Nellie F. Heald

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 17, 1877

“Almost Persuaded.”

By Nellie F. Heald

Dear reader, there is a question of urgent and solemn import addressed to each and every human soul. It is a question calculated to awaken the most earnest inquiry and solicitude in every thoughtful mind; and yet it is a question that you and I cannot answer. No Christian can answer it; no unconverted person can answer it; the angels cannot answer it; even Jesus, the Son of God, cannot answer; nor yet God the Father. This is the question: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?”

Can any one tell how we shall escape? Can even God our Maker, tell how we shall escape if we neglect so great salvation? “There is no way provided, whereby we may escape. There is none other name [but Christ’s] under heaven; given among men, whereby we must be saved.” God has plainly said that if we neglect to hear his voice we shall not escape. “For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven.” God is now speaking unto us from Heaven. He is now calling unto all men everywhere, to repent, believe and be saved. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.”

Saved! O joyful thought! Saved from sin and its condemnation; made free and happy in Christ. How false the idea that to accept Christ, and obey the truths of God’s holy word, will deprive us of any true enjoyment in this life; that when we serve Christ only suffering and trials await us, and we are no longer free and happy. Truly, those who serve their own selfish interests, are the ones who are not free and happy. Christless souls are the ones who endure the keenest sufferings, for they have no balm for their sorrows; they are the ones in whom the ills of life inflict the sorest wounds, for they spurn the healing remedy prepared and offered them by the Great Physician. When a Christian meets sufferings, trials and afflictions, it is faith in God that enables that one to bear all things without murmuring, nay, even to rejoice for Christ’s sake. It gives to the young convert his first realization of pure and true enjoyment; and teaches him how to be useful in the broadest, truest, and highest sense.

In this life, salvation gives to its possessor all that is truly worth possessing—a pure heart and an unsullied conscience. It gives a personal, loving Saviour, whose grace is sufficient for every emergency; and that hope which is an anchor to the soul. What salvation gives to its possessor hereafter, is beyond our highest conceptions of joy and blessedness. God hath said: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” On this glowing promise we may rest, knowing that in its fulfilment we shall be satisfied. Can any one then, refuse so great salvation? Alas! will any one neglect it till the Spirit is finally grieved, and they are lost? Every time we refuse to heed the “still small voice,” that calls us to repent, believe and be saved, we grieve the Spirit of God; and it may leave us to our own way, for God has said, “My Spirit shall not always strive with man.”

Many are “almost persuaded,” but the cross lies in the path before them, and they hesitate, fearing to take it up lest it shall bring reproach, or persecution, or prove detrimental to their worldly interests. But Christ says, “Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” “Blessed are ye when men shall hate you; and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.”

Many are “almost persuaded,” but they look at the responsibilities and the greatness of the Christian’s work, and fear that their strength is insufficient, forgetting that they are not required to hold out alone, in their weakness; and that Jesus has promised, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be,” and “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Many are “almost persuaded,” but earthly ambition, or loved friends, stand in their way, and they cannot yield to the Spirit’s pleading. But Jesus says, “Whosoever be he of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

Many are “almost persuaded,” but hesitate, fearing to take the first step, because they cannot see all the succeeding steps. We walk by faith, not by sight. If we take the first step that Jesus bids us, we shall then see the second.

I heard a very simple illustration of this a few days ago. A gentleman started for a certain place, but soon came to a river deep and wide, and seeing no bridge, nor any way by which he could get across, he walked up and down its banks. By-and-by, he saw another gentleman walking along, and he asked him if he could tell him of a bridge, upon which he could cross the river. The gentleman very kindly told him that though there was no bridge there was a way by which he could cross. So he led him to a certain place on the bank of the river, and pointing into the water, said: “Do you see that flat stone just below the surface of the water?” “Yes,” replied the other. Then he asked: “Do you see another flat stone just beyond that?” “Yes,” was the answer. “Well,” said the stranger, “Do you see another stone beyond the second, and another beyond the third?” “No,” was the reply, “I cannot.” “Well,” said his director, “If you will step on the first stone you will then be able to see the third, step on the second and you will see the fourth, and so on till you get entirely across the river. The gentleman did as he was directed and got safely over on the other side.

Now, if he had doubted the reality of the third and fourth stones, because he could not see them, and refused to take the first step, he would not have reached the other side. The same is true in stepping heavenward. We all desire to reach that home of the redeemed. But how many hesitate, and are afraid to venture out and take the first step, because they cannot see their way clearly to the end. We are afraid to trust God to fulfill his promises; but will God bless and honor such unbelief? Shall we reach Heaven with a faith that is afraid to take God at his word? Did God ever fail in a single instance to fulfill his word? To be “almost persuaded” only, is to be lost.

“Almost persuaded now to believe; Almost persuaded Christ to receive; Seems now some soul to say, Go, Spirit, go thy way, Some more convenient day, On thee I’ll call. “Almost” cannot avail; “Almost” is but to fail; Sad, sad that bitter wail— Almost, but lost!”

NELLIE F. HEALD. Temple, N. H.