The Test by H. | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 23, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 24.

The Test.

By H.

DRAWING even a heavy load along the paved street is not a complete test of the strength of a horse. See how he leans into the collar when the steep place is reached! There is the test. So also with the Christian. The even tenor of life is not the testing time. Few will question our Christianity when nothing antagonistic to our own feelings and desires confronts us; but let a vexing incident occur, an accident, a misunderstanding, a rebuff—there is the test.

Human nature measures itself with a liberal rule; it measures others with a close standard. The world expects and demands righteousness of the Christian. The man who has no conscience in the matter of dishonesty in small dealings, Sabbath-breaking, mild profanity, questionable amusements, and scores of other such matters, will point a scornful finger at the professed Christian who does one of them. And can we blame him? If one makes a profession and fails to live up to it, he is dishonest. Before he made the profession, he was free; when he pledged his life to Christ, he put himself under obligation to live the Christ-life. He was a Christian when there was no special trial, if he endures the test; his failure to stand the test proves that he was not a Christian at all; his standing proves that he was. The trial is the test. Christianity is nothing whatever if it fails in the testing time. H.