p. 423 | OWE NO MAN ANYTHING by Chas. L. Boyd

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1901

“OWE NO MAN ANYTHING.”

By Chas. L. Boyd

THE LATE ELDER CHAS. L. BOYD.

EIGHTEEN hundred years ago Jesus sent His angel to tell His people, through His servant John, that His Church on earth, when He comes, will have characters in harmony with His commandments; that they will be actually keeping His commandments, which are declared to be His righteousness. See Ps. 119:172; Deut. 6:25.

In the middle of the nineteenth century a people started for the marriage supper of the coming King. This people were called Adventists. The previous half-century had witnessed the fulfilment of some of the signs that marked His coming near. While He tarried, they learned that they were not keeping His commandment which says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. . . . The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.”

Like faithful servants, they reformed, and for half a century they have been leading others to join in this reformation. This class of reformers are called Seventh-day Adventists. Volunteers have been enlisting until now there is quite an army of hopeful guests.

But are all these commandment-keepers? or are some of them without oil in their vessels? As one of the Master’s commandments says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” we know that this company are Sabbath-keepers. Another of His commandments says, “Thou shalt not steal;” or, in other words, “Owe no man anything.” Then may we not with the same assurance know that this company will have no debts due their fellow men when the Lord comes? Some who are hopeful members of this company do now owe other men. Some owe the merchant for the clothes they are wearing. Others owe for the food they have already eaten. Some owe the publishing company or their tract society for the books they have sold, and for which they have received the money. Some owe for borrowed money, for which they have given no security but their promise.

The solemn question presents itself, Will these be received into the marriage supper of the King while in this condition? If not, what is the way out of this condition? Is there any short cut, or any way out except in paying their just debts? “But,” says Brother A, “I cannot

pay my debts and support my family.” Brother A, you promised to pay for those goods last fall, and the merchant let you have them on the strength of that promise, supposing there was strength in that promise to insure his pay. Had you taken those goods without his consent, you would have stolen, would you not? Have you not now taken them without his consent? He consented to your taking them only on condition that you pay for them, and you have not done it. Now, what have you done? Have you stolen? Are you a thief? Will the Master say, “You are keeping my commandments,” when you are living in violation of this commandment of both the law and the gospel?

We are agreed that the man who breaks the Sabbath is not a commandment-keeper. Is it any less clear that the man who owes debts that are due is not a commandment-keeper? The way for the former to do is to repent and find forgiveness for his past sins, and then, with God’s help, do that which he has before left undone. Is not this the only way for the latter class to do?

As this test is applied, will Seventh-day Adventists be sifted as were the first Adventists when the Sabbath truth was applied? My brethren, let us move forward. Let us remember that with this, as with every commandment of God, an assurance is given of strength to do that commandment. Let us each say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,” and then do it.