OUR BLESSED HOPE by H. S. Gurney

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 1, 1868

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 11.

OUR BLESSED HOPE.

By H. S. Gurney

Bro. Smith: I feel a little ashamed that my friends have not heard from me for so long, through the REVIEW. But longer delay will not bring pardon for past neglect. My confidence remains firm in the truths which have made us a peculiar people. Our conclusions are studied, and that from principles that are founded deep upon the rock that is sure, as the word of God is immutable. Having this confidence, we are ready to endure all things, bear any cross, or make any sacrifice. We have an enduring substance. Even death does not mar our hope, nor blight our prospects.

Brethren, we hold an honored position. Angels are our guards and sentinels, and, when need be, manifest themselves in holy vision, bringing up the rear, and warning us of danger. All this we can believe, because we seek the love of the truth. My motto is, Onward. Victory is sure to the overcome.

The time has come when men, even ministers, will not believe sound doctrines. They consider it a sin to understand that God's word has a plain, literal sense. I heard one say from the pulpit the other day, “There is no such place as Heaven. Heaven is a character.” Oh! thought I, how can men of sense sit under such preaching. Well, they would not if it were not an effort against Adventism. “The people love to have it so.” So far as I have access to, and influence with, the people, I must warn them against the influence of such teachers, and show them from the Scriptures of truth the utterly groundless and sandy foundation they occupy, a refuge of lies, which the time of trouble will sweep away, leaving them to mourn over the fruits of rashness and folly.

We have no reasons to exult because we are disposed to believe the truth. If we find ourselves thus inclined it is an evidence of weakness and blindness of heart—an unconverted state of which we need to repent and humble ourselves. Oh! when will our Lord come? We want to see Jesus crowned, and behold the order in Heaven among the four living creatures, elders, and angels. Should we not sigh to be there? Should we not mourn because our Lord is absent? Should our affections be here on things that perish? Certainly not, if we love our Lord.

Love to all friends of truth, and may the God of peace be with us all till Jesus comes. H. S. GURNEY.