Love One Another by J. Philbrick

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 3, 1872

Love One Another.

By J. Philbrick

In John 15: 12, Jesus says, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” And St. Paul says, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Next to hearing others is reading from their pens. Are there not many silent pens which might and should be used to express such words of cheer as would cause bright hope to spring up in the heart of some lone pilgrim, or call a song of praise from some saddened soul?

But, alas! how many there are, and some from whom we might hope better things, who will manifest displeasure if you say anything to them of the importance of living the letter and spirit of reform, which God in his infinite mercy has given us.

But to live out the precious truths unfolded by the third angel, how blessed. To draw sap and nourishment from Christ, the living vine, makes us one in him, and we shall love one another as he has given us commandment. We shall, too, delight to encourage each other, and strengthen each other, and when we see the older, afflicted, tried, and tempted, it will be our joy to take them by the hand and share with them in their sorrows and trials, until they are made free in the Lord. See the following texts. John, 17: 20, 21; 1 Pet. 1: 22, 23; 2 Cor. 13: 11; 1 John 6: 16, 17. Thank Heaven for the light of the third angel’s message. It causes the precious pages of the Bible to shine with heavenly light as never before.

As the saints look into the open door of the heavenly sanctuary, and there behold their great High Priest, and the love of God through him, the mind is enraptured with sweet delight, and they feel the transforming power of his love shed abroad in the heart, which unites, and cements in one. The Saviour’s prayer is answered. They are one, as he and his Father are one. Thank the Lord, I love the sweet spirit of Heaven. No separate interest here. No selfishness in the Christian heart. “Not a particle of covetousness or selfishness can God approbate.” I praise his great name for the victory he has given me for a few weeks past, and for that love I feel for his truth, and for his dear people. This work is the Lord’s, and it will go forward. I cannot love him enough for his unbounded love toward fallen man.

Jesus has died for us, and we are saved by grace, through his precious blood. How ungrateful, if we do not love him, praise him, and magnify his blessed name, with all the heart. “Oh! magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

“Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.” O ye servants and watchmen of the Lord, that do his will and pleasure, bearing the burden of the third message, be strong, and of good courage, and the Lord will give you eternal life when he gathers his redeemed unto himself. J. PHILBRICK.

West Wilton, N. H., 1872.