NO CROSS, NO CROWN by A. Smith

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 10, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 40.

NO CROSS, NO CROWN.

By A. Smith

BY A. SMITH.

There has never been a time known to history (unless it were in the days that immediately preceded the flood) when the minds of old and young were kept so busily occupied with business or pleasure, as the time in which we live. We can only look upon this as a factor in Satan’s plans to deprive as many as possible from seeing or understanding the truth of God, whereby only we can learn the way of salvation.

When God sends to a man the light of his truth, and with it a conviction of duty to obey, Satan presses him with business cares, and tempts him with resultant gain, in wealth and comforts of life, or scares him with forebodings of loss and want, should he obey; and, as a consequence, he excuses himself from yielding to his conviction of duty, and presumes upon the mercy of God by continuing in disobedience.

There are some who will be ridiculed, or threatened and ill-treated by friends, and others, still, who will be flattered, praised, or purchased with earthly trappings and money, with the purpose of luring them from the humble path of obedience to God.

Satan knows well the weaknesses of every soul; and only by faith in God that will without regard to consequences obey when he commands, can the power of the arch deceiver’s spell be broken. The strength to thus obey will be given to the earnest seeker in answer to fervent prayer.

Without the cross, suffering, and persecution in the world, the crown will never be worn in glory.

Those who profess the special truth of God for this time will be misrepresented and despised, and their mistakes and faults will be magnified, in order to shame convicted souls from association with them; and by placing in contrast the more pleasing associations of the popular religion of this day, many are lured from the path of duty and life.

The sentiments of the following stanzas should be the language of every sincere soul:—

“I'm not ashamed to be despised By those who ne’er religion prized. Christian, sweet name, its worth I view; Oh, may I wear its nature, too!”

“I'm not ashamed to bear the cross; For this I count all things but loss. Whate’er I'm bid to do or say, When Christ commands, I will obey.”

“This world's vain honors will I shun; The narrow way to life I'll run, That this, at last, my boast may be, My Saviour's not ashamed of me.”

Grandville, Mich.