Saying and Doing by L. A. Cartright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 16, 1872

Saying and Doing.

By L. A. Cartright

TRUTH is the same through whatever medium it is given. But when we hear or read an eloquent or logical discourse, we are eager to know if the daily life corresponds with the sublimity of utterance. The most unworthy persons may be greatly gifted. And the Lord has given a general invitation to all to work in his vineyard. “Many are called, but few chosen.” Judas had a place among the apostles, but who was ever converted by his preaching? Ungodly professors of religion are Satan’s most successful emissaries. They will never enter Heaven, and those that would they hinder. It is this saying one thing and doing another that prejudices minds, and causes the way of truth to be evil spoken of; while it is a fact that truth has a ten-fold power aided by a consistent life. Then it touches the hearts and consciences of men, and becomes a “savor of life unto life, or of death unto death.” That which comes from the heart reaches the heart, and the lukewarm can communicate no greater warmth than their own. But where the Holy Spirit kindles a flame and points the truth, the speaker is no longer prominent. His subject absorbs the attention, and cold, hard hearts are melted and prepared for the likeness of Christ. This is being “endued with power from on high.” Then he can do all things through Christ strengthening him, while without Christ we can do nothing.

The writer was once in a protracted meeting where there was a deep interest. A professor of religion, one of the long-winded kind, occupied from ten to fifteen minutes two or three times each meeting with an array of words of that uncertain temperature that wearies a congregation, and it proved so nauseous to a poor lunatic that after listening for the third time, he sprang to his feet with “I’ve heard enough say so, I want to see some do so.” The effect was startling. If amen was not heard in Heaven, it was certainly felt on earth. Friends, let us be careful that our “do so” agrees with our “say so.” Lord, help us to be consistent.

L. A. Cartright.