A Religious Calm by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 13, 1872

A Religious Calm.

By George I. Butler

We regard this as one of the greatest dangers that threatens the cause of God to-day.

A stagnant pool is always calm. Pure water moves. The bubbling spring, the gurgling rill, the rushing river, the foaming ocean, lashing the shore with its huge mountain waves, driven by the wind, are familiar illustrations of the latter condition. This very motion is the cause of purity. The purest, most sparkling water taken from the mountain spring becomes corrupted when left to stand a length of time. Motion and life are closely connected.

So it is in the religious world. A formal round of services, calculated to depress instead of excite interest, causing no particular emotion, touching no heart, rousing no one to action, awakening no conscience, is one of the most dangerous phases of Christian experience.

There is no spot in the Christian life where it is safe to sit down and take it easy. When we do that, we are not only in danger of loss, but have already experienced it. That condition shows that the wrong influence is governing us. “Watch, pray, and work, are the Christian watchwords.” Progress is the law of the higher life. The ship, starting on its long voyage across the ocean, dreads nothing more than the calm. The present condition of all on board might be pleasant enough, far more pleasant indeed than when the waves ran high. A plentiful supply of food and drink might make life even joyous. A smooth sea would save personal discomfort, but, should this condition of things always remain, when would the desired haven be reached? Never. Any wind is better than a calm. Even if it be square against them, they can beat and tack, and make some progress; and although they work hard, the day’s reckoning will show miles in advance of what had been their position had the wind not blown at all. Even so is it with the Christian. Fierce temptation, trials, crosses, are far preferable to a state of sleepy ease.

“More the treacherous calm I dread Than tempests bursting over head.”

John Bunyan’s view of the pilgrims locked in sleep on the enchanted ground, and there captured and almost destroyed by their enemy, is no false picture, but alas! represents the condition of many, only we fear some do not get out as luckily as they.

Why is it that a calm is so dangerous? since we all know it is pleasant to the natural man. We need to have clear conceptions of the danger, if it be truly a dangerous state. If this world was our home, our resting-place, a calm would be just the condition we ought to be in. But the Bible represents this world as being ruled by an enemy. The “god of this world” is the one who is worshiped by the majority. He is not the great Jehovah, but a very different personage. He rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience.

God’s people are “pilgrims and strangers” here, seeking a better country, “even a heavenly.” It is for this reason “God is not ashamed to be called their God.” He would be ashamed to be their God if they were satisfied with this poor world where death reigns, where suffering and sin go hand in hand, and where “passing away” is written on every thing. God would not own a people who have no better sense than to be satisfied with such a state of things. We very well know that worldlings think those fools who will make much effort to obtain eternal life. But eternity will show that man to be a fool who can be satisfied with anything this world has to offer. What should we think of a man who would be willing to accept of a copper penny for a short time to call his own, when he could have a million of golden eagles to own all his life time? This is a weak comparison to represent the difference between earthly and eternal riches. The day of God will show who has been truly wise. How small this world will look then.

Now the Bible everywhere represents the influences connected with this world since the curse has entered it as warring against God’s government, and that we have to contend not only against these and the natural depravity of our own hearts, but against “principalities against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and wicked spirits in heavenly places.” And that to overcome such enemies as those it will be necessary to make an effort proportionate, of course, to their power. These are most mighty. Our efforts must be great also. To settle down into a calm is to give up the struggle.

Had General Grant, at Pittsburg Landing, concluded that it was rather a hard job to fight any longer, and much more pleasant to take it easy awhile, he might have had a few moments of calm, perhaps; but it would only have resulted in his being marched off with all his squadrons to some rebel prison, there to drag out a weary captivity. A thousand times more foolish is the Christian who ceases to arouse and make mighty efforts to fight the battles of the Lord. “Eternal vigilance is the price of safety” while we are in the enemy’s land. Says the Saviour, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” A moderate effort is not enough. A mighty effort will be required, and scholars tell us that instead of “strive” the original is “agonize.” There is nothing very lulling or calm about agony, or making an effort corresponding to that. No. It is like a position in a rapid stream. The moment we stop rowing, we go down. What should we think of a man concluding to take a nap half a mile above Niagara falls, in a skiff? It would be nothing short of suicide. He could pull hard and make the shore. But he would have to make an effort.

We have come to that time in the history of our world when we have reached the breakers near the shore. It is a time for vigilance, a time for activity. All our religious meetings should be seasons of stirring interest. If we find ourselves growing stupid, we should shake ourselves, rub our eyes, and wake up. We can’t afford to sleep. This death stupor, which is felt by so many, is from Satan. It is full as apt to effect those who have long been in the way as those just beginning. Has not God spiritual strength and life enough for us all if we will only seek for it? Most certainly. The reason why many are getting asleep is because they are not walking in the light they have had in the past. Our light should grow brighter and clearer, even unto the perfect day. God is not pleased to have us remain spiritual dwarfs, or become stupid and spiritually asleep. He has light for us if we will follow it. Paul’s example is, “forgetting the things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God which is in Christ Jesus;” and he significantly adds, “Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded.” This is our only safety. Look out for the enchanted ground. We are too near the golden gates to go to sleep now. May we be able to enter through them into the city.

GEO. I. BUTLER.

Battle Creek, Mich., July 31, 1872.