FOR A TESTING TIME

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 3, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 35.

FOR A TESTING TIME.

“Why be so particular?” is often asked by the young of those who require of them certain duties. “Why is God so particular?” say some would-be easy-going Christians. It is because he wants in each and all of us a character which will stand the test. It may not seem necessary now; it will be all-important sometime. There are testing times for all characters; let that be kept in view when the character is making at all times. This truth is well illustrated by the following from Rev. J. R. Miller:—

Men said the old smith was foolishly careful as he wrought on the great chain he was making in

his dingy shop in the heart of the great city. But he heeded not their words, and only wrought with greater painstaking. Link after link he fashioned, and at last the chain was finished and carried away. In time it lay coiled on the deck of a great ship, which sped back and forth on the ocean. There seemed no use for it; for the great anchor was never needed, and the chain lay there uncoiled. So years passed. But one night there was a terrible storm, and the ship was in sore peril of being hurled upon the rocks. Anchor after anchor was dropped, but none of them availed; the chains were broken like threads. At last the mighty sheet-anchor was cast into the sea, and the old chain was quickly uncoiled and run out until it grew taut. All watched to see if it could bear the awful strain. It sank in the wild storm, as the vessel’s weight surged upon it. It was a moment of intense anxiety. The ship, with its cargo of a thousand lives, depended upon this one chain. What now if the old smith had wrought carelessly even on one link of his chain! But he had put honesty and truth and invincible strength into every part of it, and it stood the test, holding the ship in safety until the storm was over and the morning came.