To the Young by M. F. Maxson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 1, 1870

To the Young.

By M. F. Maxson

[By special request, we reprint the following, from the pen of one who now sleeps in Jesus. It breathes a fervent spirit of piety and true devotion, that the young will do well to cultivate.]

We are living “in a grand and awful time.” Satan is working with mighty power, knowing that his time is short; and we who are young, are especially exposed to his fierce temptations. He will try in every possible manner to draw us away from God, to divert our minds from heavenly things, and fill them with earthly thoughts. And are we trying with all our powers to resist him? Oh, are we, in the strength of God, pressing forward? or are we gradually yielding to Satan, and being overcome by him? We firmly believe we have reached the time when the people of God are going to arise and clothe themselves with the beauteous garments of righteousness and salvation; and if we would be prepared to rise with them, we must strive earnestly to get our hearts right in the sight of God. We must put from us all pride, vanity, love of ease and worldly pleasures, and seek to be conformed wholly to the will of God. Now is the time to work. Do not let us fold our hands in idleness, and fondly dream that at some future time we will “make our peace, calling and election sure.” Time is short. We have not one moment to spare. Already we can almost hear, in the distance, the rolling of the chariot which brings to earth our absent Lord; and occasionally we almost seem to catch a glimpse of the light and glory that encircle the heavenly cortege. And oh, let us, as in the presence of God, ask ourselves the solemn question, Shall I be prepared to meet with joy the coming King?

We know that none but the pure and holy, those who have humbly walked with God, will be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of Man when he shall appear. Shall we be found among that holy, happy band? Thank God, we may be. Mercy still lingers. Jesus invites us, and all Heaven says, Come. Oh, let us hasten to the fountain that is opened “for sin and uncleanness,” and bathe there, until every stain is washed from our sinful souls. Let us from this moment resolve that in the strength of God, we will overcome. We must be in earnest, determined and persevering, or Satan will overcome us. His efforts are unwearied and constant; and if we try to draw nearer to the Lord, and consecrate ourselves entirely to him, he will press his darkness around us to discourage us, and we shall be tempted to give up the struggle. But when these fierce storms of temptation arise, let us seek shelter in the bower of prayer. His fiery darts can never penetrate through that inclosure. There, at Jesus’ feet, we shall be safe. He will surely listen to our earnest cries for help. If we seek him with all the heart, he will be found of us. He will not leave us to the buffets of Satan, but will strengthen us to resist the powers of darkness, and to press on in the narrow way, until the last battle is fought, and a complete and final victory gained.

Dear young friends, you “who are at ease in Zion,” will you not awake and give yourselves wholly to God? Will you not listen to the dear voice that pleads, “Awake, awake thou that sleepest; arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light”? Oh, heed that solemn admonition ere it be everlastingly too late. Oh, think of the joys of Heaven. Think of the rapture that will fill your soul, if at last you may be permitted to enter through the golden gates into the city of God, there to receive from the Saviour’s own hand—that precious hand that was once nailed to the cross for you—a crown of bright glory, and to hear from his dear lips the sweet words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Oh, is not Heaven worth striving for? Is it not worth giving up all for? And will you, through carelessness and indifference, fail of everlasting life? Oh, think of the dreadful anguish that will be yours if at last you have to exclaim, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and I am not saved.” Eternal life was offered to me, but I would not make the necessary efforts to secure it. Heaven with all its blessedness might have been mine, but now it is too late, and I am lost. May this sad lamentation never be yours or mine.

In the strength of Israel’s God, let us go forward. Be faithful in secret prayer. Have stated seasons for holding communion with God; and as you value eternal life, let nothing tempt you to neglect the solemn exercise. And as you try to draw near to God, believe that he draws near to you. And though at times the blessing may be withheld, and you can get no sensible answer to your prayers, yet wait at his footstool, cling to his promise; and when you most need it, showers of grace will descend upon your waiting soul, “like dew upon the mown grass.”

Pray much. By prayer you will conquer. Meditate constantly upon the glories of Heaven, and the goodness of God. Often ask yourselves the question, Am I now pleasing God? and do I aim to please him in all that I do and say? Make religion your chief business, and it will be your delight. The blessing of the Lord will be with you, and you will know no greater joy than to please him. Be in earnest. Be faithful, patient, persevering; and

“Soon the joyful news will come, Child, your Father calls, Come home.”

M. F. MAXSON.