To the Young among S. D. Adventists.
By John Q. Fox
THAT we are amid the perils of the last days is a fact of which we have often been assured, and one with which we are all familiar. The word of God and the testimony of his Spirit, are in harmony in reference to it. It is also demonstrated by the fact that many who received the theory of the truth, but not having received it in love, are falling away, being led captive by Satan at his will. We do well to consider that we also are in danger, and to beware lest we, being led away by the error of the wicked, fall from our own steadfastness. “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” Our only hope of escaping these perils is in entire conformity to the will of our Heavenly Father, and in having a daily experience in the things of God. We are all well aware that a mere profession of the truth will amount to nothing. How important, then, that we closely examine our own hearts, that we prove our own selves whether we be in the faith. Satan, aware that his time is short, seems intent on making the most of it. We do well in this respect to emulate his example. We should be admonished that our time is short, and in view of this fact, let me exhort you, dear young friends, to vigilance, and to faithfulness and zeal in the service of God. Not only is our own salvation jeopardized by our remaining indifferent, but precious souls over whom we might exert an influence for good, are left to perish. And can it be that we, who profess to belong to a people who are giving the last message of mercy to the world, have so little of the spirit of our Master, without which we are none of his, as to have no concern for the welfare of our fellow-men, no interest in that work which was the object of Christ’s mission to earth, and to accomplish which he endured so much? No nobler cause than that which we have espoused was ever engaged in by mortals. Never was there more at stake, never more cause for interest, and zeal, or more excuse for enthusiasm than with those who have enlisted in the service of God, and are engaged in the warfare for eternal life. Never was there greater assurance of success. There is no question as to the issue of this conflict. Victory is certain. God’s cause must finally triumph. Satan’s hosts will be defeated. The question for us to decide, is, Shall we be true soldiers? Shall we prove loyal to the government of Heaven? To remain undecided or inactive is to favor the cause of the enemy. Shall we longer lend our influence in this direction? Spell bound, we seem not to realize our danger. Like an individual chilled by the cold, our sensibilities are benumbed, and there seems to have come over us a feeling of indifference and drowsiness which is almost irresistible. And is there not reason to fear that we shall not be made sensible of our real condition until it shall be too late, not only to benefit others, but to secure our own salvation? Then, if not before, this spell will be broken. Then will Satan be willing that we should see our condition as it is. Then will terrible agony (a little of which, would to God we might now feel) rend our hearts; and life which we now cling to, will be no less valuable, though in our blindness and recklessness, we sometimes act, and even talk, as though it were a matter of little consequence whether we were saved or lost. Satan loves to have us feel thus. Oh! that we might realize how much is pending. A determined and persevering effort now will secure to ourselves and to others a life that will have no end; treasures which are imperishable, an eternal weight of glory. Shall we make the effort? Or shall we, indolently resting upon our oars, drift along with the current into the terrible vortex of destruction? Would that we might be aroused to the fact that now is our time to work, and that it is rapidly passing. This life is given us in which to prepare for eternity; if we succeed in this, whatever our condition here, however lowly our lot, however much we may have to undergo, the great object of our life is gained. We shall have been successful. Failing in this, however much of this world we may gain, we shall have lived in vain. We may be successful. The greatest blessings ever given to man are within our reach, blessings, with which those enjoyed by the most favored of earth bear no comparison. May the Lord help us to feel the full importance of this hour. Here we may become rich in good works, and gather souls who will be stars in our crowns, to all eternity. “If all could comprehend the plan of salvation, and the worth of even one soul purchased by the blood of Christ, they would make every other interest of minor consequence.”—Test. No. 20, p. 116. Shall we not make it our first, our only business to serve God? We are not our own, we have been bought with a price. What right have we to make our business primary? what right to have any business aside from serving God? What is serving God, but performing the duties of life properly and faithfully? Duty calls but one way at the same time, and it is always safe to be found in the way of our duty. Religion does not consist wholly, nor yet mainly, in forms and ceremonies, or in what is commonly denominated religious worship. Indeed, these are but the means by which we obtain strength to carry out the great end of our existence. As such, they are invaluable, and should be improved. Let us be sure, when we excuse ourselves from attending upon these means of grace, that duty calls elsewhere. “Some neglect prayer, and the assembling of themselves together for the worship of God, that they may have more time to devote to their farms or their business, fearing they should suffer some loss of their earthly treasure. They show by their works which world they place the highest estimate upon. They sacrifice religious privileges, which are essential to their spiritual advancement, for the things of this life.”—Test. No. 20, p. 115. Christ is our example. His meat was to do the will of his Father. “Wist ye not,” said he, “that I must be about my Father’s business?” His mission was to preach the gospel to the poor, to the broken-hearted; but do we suppose that, when we find him engaging in manual labor, he had forgotten the object of his mission? May we not rather conclude from this, that while this may not be the most important part of our duty, it is nevertheless to be engaged in with direct reference to the glory of God, and that, though the greater portion of our time may be employed in this direction, we should ever hold ourselves in readiness to do what, or to go wherever, duty may require? As laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, it shall be our righteousness to do whatever part of the work may be assigned us, cheerfully and faithfully. The proper position for us to occupy is well expressed in the 123d Psalm: “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.” Is it not high time that we were whole-hearted in the service of God? How long halt we between two opinions? Do we lack confidence in the truth? Have we not sufficient evidence that this world’s history is nearly closed, that probation will soon end? How can it be said to us, “Well done,” unless we manifest more zeal and interest in this good cause? Dear young friends, God has been exceedingly good to us in permitting the light of truth to shine into our hearts; but this, if we are unfaithful, so far from being a blessing, will only increase our condemnation, and it were better for us to never have known the way of life. As a token of our gratitude, and in order that we may receive the benefit God designed we should, let us engage in a nobler, a holier work than that of serving ourselves. Every day of our lives we are doing that which tells either favorably or unfavorably upon eternity. “We are co-workers with Christ, or co-workers with the enemy. We either gather with Christ, or scatter abroad. We are decided whole-hearted Christians, or none at all.”—Test. No. 1, p. 13. All of us, no doubt, have friends, for whose present comfort nothing is too hard for us to do. Perhaps we feel an interest for their salvation; but are we doing what we can? We should remember that there are others, also, who are just as precious; for whom just as great a price has been paid, and whose salvation will cause just as much joy in Heaven, who will be just as bright stars in our crowns of rejoicing. How much wisdom we need! How important that we get near to God! We must all render account for the manner in which we improve the talents committed to our trust. Some may have ten, others but one, yet none are excused. Nor should we wish to be were we strictly commandment-keepers—did we love God with all the heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. Would it not better become us, thankful that our feeble efforts are accepted, to feel anxious to do what we can? The standard of Christian perfection given us in the Bible, to which we are all required to attain, is an elevated one; yet thank God it is within our reach; and although the process of crucifying the old man may be lingering and painful, and the work of cultivating the graces of the Spirit gradual, it is our privilege and duty to make daily progress in this work; nay, more; upon this daily work depends our ultimate success. Here is our only ground of hope. How can we consistently hope that we shall be overcomers if we are gaining no victories to-day? How can we reasonably flatter ourselves that we shall finally enter the glorious city of God, if we are not now taking steps in that direction? Procrastination is one of Satan’s most successful snares. It has been very properly denominated the thief of time; and to many a poor soul will it as verily prove the thief of eternity. “But few are willing to imitate his [Christ’s] amazing privations, and endure his sufferings and his persecutions, and share his exhausting labor, to bring others to the light. But few will follow the example of our Saviour in earnest, frequent prayer to God, for strength to endure the trials, and perform the daily duties of this life. Christ is the captain of our salvation, and by his own sufferings and sacrifice, has given an example to all his followers, that watchfulness and prayer, and persevering effort were necessary on their part, if they would rightly represent the love which dwelt in his bosom for the fallen race.”—Test. No. 20, p. 130. I fear that I have already trespassed upon your patience, but cannot forbear to express a thought with reference to the influence that we who are older exert over the youth and children that are among us. Do we realize our responsibility. Certain it is that with these our influence tells; and it is either salutary or the reverse, in proportion as we are faithful or unfaithful to our profession. These souls are precious, and it is a fearful thing for us to hedge up to them the way of life and salvation. But are we not virtually doing this when we, while professing to believe the most solemn truths, remain inactive, manifesting little or no interest, thus denying our own profession? Oh! that God would give us hearts to feel for these, and wisdom that we may take a course that shall win them to the truth, that they with us may have a shelter from the fearful storm of wrath that is so soon to come upon the world. “O! think of the Master, worn and faint,
Whose meek lips uttered no complaint;
Who toiled for thee, ’mid the noontide heat,
And sought no rest for his weary feet.
“Work with thy might, ere the day of grace
Is spent and the night comes on apace.
The Master has given his pledge divine:
Who winneth souls like the stars shall shine.”