PEN PICTURES by William P. Pearce

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 5, 1900

PEN PICTURES.

By William P. Pearce

WILLIAM P. PEARCE.

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” 2 Cor. 7:10. There was a young woman of delicate health, but with a strong faith in Jesus. When dying, she looked up and said, “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.” The day of the funeral arrived. The writer had preached the sermon, and was at the door leading the procession to the hearse, when orders were given to stop. A young man, leaning on the arm of his mother, came through the gate, the casket was carried back to the parlor, and the door was shut. Then sobs and moans issued from that room. Again the parlor door opened, the procession was formed, and slowly it wended its way to the cemetery. At the grave this young man leaned on his mother’s shoulder and wept bitterly. No one spoke to him, and no one cared to sympathize with him.

I soon learned the story. He was the young woman’s lover. Some time previously he had gone west, had proved faithless to his promises, neglected to correspond with his dying friend, and when telegraphed for, showed his contempt by delay. At last a mother’s appeal brought him. But it was too late. The young woman had taken her departure, and this wretch wept and sobbed. He evinced sorrow, but of what kind I can not say.

How true of many who hear the story of the sacrificial love of our dear Saviour! They are sorry for their sins, and would follow him closely; but observation proves that it is only the minority who follow him to the end. Why?—Because of the difference in the sorrow.

“Godly sorrow” is an inward, moral force, which, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, produces a real transformation of life and conduct. It is a scourge, but there is healing in its stripes. It has a bitter taste, but there comes sweetness from the bitterness. It is a crown of thorns that lacerates the brow, but it becomes a wreath of light and glory to the person wearing it. It goes beyond tears, moans, and penances; it brings forth “fruits meet for repentance.”

Worldly sorrow is that created by ourselves, when, because of suffering, loss of money or friend, we feel badly.

With the former, as the Revised Version reads, it is “a repentance which brings no regret.” While “the sorrow of the world,” as in the case of Saul, Ahithophel, and Judas, “worketh death”—the death of all deaths, the darkest which leads into “the blind cave of eternal night.”

Look well to your sorrow. See that it is the right kind, not like that of Pharaoh, “e’en in penance planning sins anew,” but like that of which Alford sang:—

“Thou canst not tell How rich a dowry sorrow gives the soul, How firm a faith and eagle-sight of God.”