A Peculiar People by M. E. Guilford

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 14, 1873

A Peculiar People.

By M. E. Guilford

The true people of God have been a peculiar people in all ages of the world. Their manner of life, their desires and expectations, have differed widely from those of the world around them. While the masses around them have lived in careless indifference, paying but little or no regard to the teachings of God’s word, they have ever been zealous to maintain good works. They have diligently searched the word of God as for hid treasures, and as the light has gleamed from its sacred pages, they have rejoiced in that light, and walked in it, that they might form characters such as God would approve. They have ever been zealous for the honor of God, the glory of his cause, and the advancement of his work in the earth. They have walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, and hailed with joy as a token of divine favor, each ray of increasing light given to guide them through the perils of the way.

As the evidences increase of the near approach of the long looked for, and greatly-to-be-desired, advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the contrast between the people of God and the world will be more marked, and the distinction and peculiarity more apparent. While the worldling, the infidel, and even the professed church, will be trampling under foot the law of God, and exalting in its stead human laws, the remnant of God’s heritage will reverence his holy law, and honor him by obedience to its precepts. While the world at large are being “overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life,” the humble followers of Jesus will practice the lesson of self-denial, and temperance in all things, cleansing themselves from “all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” The gay, giddy throng will be seeking for happiness in this life, reveling in its pleasures, its follies, and its fashions, while the people of God will be seeking for righteousness and meekness, that they may abide the day of wrath, and escape the terrible destruction which awaits the ungodly.

And thus will the work go on. The careless, the indifferent, and the ungodly, will revel amid earth’s pleasures, and live in wantonness. The professed church, at ease in Zion, will be lulled to rest in carnal security by the siren voice of the arch-deceiver as he heralds forth the cry of “peace and safety,” “a good time coming,” &c. The poor, despised followers of Jesus will give heed to the sure word of prophecy as unto a light that shineth in a dark place. And while wading through persecution, tribulation, and anguish of soul, they will gird the armor of God more closely about them, and “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Dear reader, which company will you choose? Will you seek for present enjoyment, follow the inclinations of the carnal heart, and be at enmity with God? If so, will you dare presume upon his mercy? Can you hope for salvation after a life of rebellion against the pure principles of Heaven? “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. 6: 7, 8. The declaration is plain. God has spoken, and his word will not return unto him void. Those who share in the glorious rest promised to the saints, must live for it. A life of noble sacrifice, cheerful obedience, and earnest, faithful devotion to the cause of God, will secure for us eternal life and unending pleasures in the kingdom of God. May we be wise, and choose a name and place among the self-denying, cross-bearing, humble followers of Jesus. “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

“Our Saviour is faithful, his promise is sure, To all who bear trials, hold fast and endure.”

M. E. GUILFORD.

Castalia, Ohio.