Truth is Valuable by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 5, 1872

Truth is Valuable.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

Precious is the light given by the word and Spirit of God. Yet it is undervalued. It is not prized as it should be. As a people we are being instructed how to prepare ourselves for the time of trouble which we must soon see. But many do not realize that they need this teaching. They think it not necessary to heed it; showing by their acts that they do not believe. The time will come, however, that the unbelief that now blinds the mind and perverts the judgment will be torn away, and it will then be seen that, while they disregarded the light, they slighted their own mercy.

We may talk truth to our friends; but while we do not evince that we believe what we say, it will not affect favorably the hearer. To show that we are in earnest—that we are believers—is what is needed. We must prove our sincerity. And this we cannot do, unless we are sincere, having a living faith in what we say.

When do we purpose to come up to the light? If we are not now ready, when shall we be? I awfully fear that many that have been timely warned, and professed to receive the warning, will neglect the preparation, and so that day will come upon them as a snare. This must be the case from the present aspect.

The trouble is, men promise themselves that at some future time they will reform, but never come to the time. Those who will be prepared to meet the fearful time of trouble, must get ready for it; and the time is now. No future time will do. Nothing will be done to the purpose, till we say and feel that now is the time. Shall we heed the light, and heed it now? Would that we could persuade all to heed the truth and to walk in the precious light that God in great mercy has given us.

R. F. COTTRELL.