Beware of Leakage by M. Wood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 23, 1872

Beware of Leakage.

By M. Wood

As I picked up the daily paper this morning, my eye rested upon the announcement, “Loss of the ship, Great Republic.” Faithfully the officers and men stood at their post of duty, in order to keep their ship from sinking. They succeeded for hours and days, but as the hurricane increased, her seams opened to such an extent that it was utterly impossible to keep her above water, and accordingly the ship was abandoned.

Thus, thought I, is it with the true Christian living in the world. It is not the ship being in the water that will sink it, but the water getting into the ship. In like manner, the Christian is not ruined by living in the world, which he must needs do while he remains in this mortal state, but by the world living in him. The world living in the heart, has ruined millions of precious souls. How careful are mariners in guarding against leakage, lest the water entering into the vessel, should, by imperceptible degrees, cause it to sink.

Ought not the Christian to watch and pray more carefully lest Satan and the world should find some unguarded inlet to his heart, and thus by entering in, bring him to destruction, both soul and body?

We are too apt, even after we have learned better things, to be carried away by foolish objects. Any little trifle can divert the attention, and will do it without great watchfulness and self-government on our part. And these holy habits are only to be attained by frequent and fervent efforts. The world, and the things of the world press upon us at all points. Let us set a double watch upon ourselves, lest Satan and the world, in an unguarded moment, steal in upon our affections and draw away our hearts from God. M. Wood.

Boston, March 15, 1872.