ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS by Angelia J. Edmunds

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 23, 1871

ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS

By Angelia J. Edmunds

Earnestness.

“We may seem too earnest before men, but not too earnest before God.” These words were spoken by our dear Bro. Ertzenberger, and they found an echo in my heart; for by bitter experience I have learned that the human heart cannot reciprocate the feelings of another, unless the same anxiety, the same burden, the same load of responsibility, rests with weight upon it.

We may seem to be too earnest when we are so anxious that those with whom we meet from time to time should give their hearts to Jesus, that they should see the light of present truth, and obey it; but let me ask, If your neighbor’s house was on fire and you saw the danger he was in, would you not be in earnest? I think you would not stop to ponder over it and wonder whether you had a duty to do in his case or not; but you would immediately tell him of his danger. If he seemed to be indifferent, you would become more and more earnest. Some might say that you were foolish because the man did not believe and heed the warning; but what some may say should not trouble you. Should he be burned up, with all his house, you have the consolation of knowing that you did all you could to save him. If you would know your duty, read Ezekiel, chapters 3 and 33.

Yes, we may seem too earnest before men, but not too earnest before God; not too earnest in putting away all our sins, in keeping all his commands, in seeking every opportunity within our reach to secure a spiritual welfare to ourselves and others also, to advance the cause of truth in a proper manner that others now out of the ark of safety may be brought to see their true condition and make haste to escape the time of trouble just before us.

Let us remember to live to God, prayerfully study to know what is our duty before him, and fearlessly go forward in performance of it, regardless of what those around us may say. If we trust in him, he will not leave us to grope our way in darkness. He will not leave us to be pushed ahead by the enemy or kept back by him, but we may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that we may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. Col. 1: 9–11.

ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS

Johnstown, Mich.