p. 27 | The Vine | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 9, 1872

The Vine.

A friend complained to Gotthold of the weakness of his faith, and the distress this gave him. Gotthold pointed to a vine which had twined and fastened itself around a pole, and was hanging loaded with beautiful clusters, and said: Frail is that plant; but what harm is done to it by its frailty, especially as the Creator has been pleased to make it what it is? As little will it prejudice your faith, that it is weak, provided only it be sincere and unfeigned. Faith is the work of God, and he bestows it in such measures as he wills and judges right. Let the measure of it which he has given you be deemed sufficient by you. Take for pole and prop the cross of the Saviour, and the word of God. Twine around these with all the power which God vouchsafes. A heart sensible of its weakness, and prostrating itself continually with humble sighs at the feet of the Divine mercy, is more acceptable than that which presumes upon the strength of its faith, and falls into security and pride. Can you suppose that the sinful woman who lay and wept at the Lord’s feet, was less approved than the swelling and haughty Pharisee? Luke 7:38.