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Loss and Gain

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 25, 1875

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 45, No. 9.

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Loss and Gain.

By D. H. Lamson

Most men in the affairs of life mean to look well to the “main chance.” Mistakes are often made; but it is not to be supposed that failure is the thing determined. Those who make life a success are usually such as look beyond the present, and foresight is a necessity. It is true that there are sometimes great gains as a matter of chance, without any special train being laid to bring results; they are not, therefore, generally permanent in character, as another turn of the wheel may sweep them all away.
A blind confidence may not always be misplaced; it is certainly the exception and not the rule if it is not, and the very dregs of bitterness and disappointment is almost the certain consequence. Better, then, to count the cost, to have the objective points always in view, the means well defined, and only such means used as point directly to the coveted goal.
A railroad may be in process of construction through the land. Its principal points and terminations may be such that when built, it will be a road of great value. Its stock may have risen above par fifty per cent. An early investment in such an enterprise could hardly be called a venture.
Another road is projected, which when completed will be its rival, and perhaps surpass it in its advantages; its shares will sell at but seventy-five dollars; the par value is one hundred.
Who would not say that they, where financial acumen could grasp the fact, would not do well to transfer all their capital at the best possible moment to the new road. It cannot be doubted that the children of this world are wise in their generation. Are they wiser than the children of light?
Between this world with all its sacrificing and toil, and the world to come, with its light and joy, there is to the Christian the widest possible contrast. To him it is a patent truth that the sorrow of this world worketh death, but a godly sorrow, repentance unto life. But multitudes, like Bunyan’s man with a muck rake, are looking down satisfied, with the alluring glitter of earthly treasures, forgetting to look up at the jeweled crown, and an eternal weight of glory, the sure reward of its possessor.
The truth when presented contends with a variety of objections, which, when weighed, are lighter than vanity. Says one, How can I be so unlike others, much of happiness depends on associations. True, yet a happiness that is as a shadow, and associations that are formed but to be broken, can be of no permanent benefit. The end in view, if it be everlasting life, will not justify an improper use of the means at command, and the only means attainable is the time that God has given.
It may be esteemed a pleasure to be a participant in folly; but it ceases to be a pleasure when consequences stare us in the face, small satisfaction will it be to know, when the bitter end is in full view, that the friendships which have been cherished will cease to be remembered in the darkness of eternal death, and even friends must share the bitter cup and be engulfed in the same ruin. It is a wise choice that makes Heaven the primary consideration, and all else be made subservient to the desired end.
Looking at the Bible as the epitome of truth, and believing its denunciations of wrath certain, and its promises of mercy sure, the one upon the ungodly and the other to the good, it becomes a matter of painful regret that so many who know their duty, do it not. Ignorance may be a sin, but neglect of so great salvation as comes through the suffering of Christ, is crime too great for finite mind to measure. Yet by excuses that cannot be justified, life is frittered away, and hope recedes from view. “All men have not faith,” says the apostle; “but all men have desires.” Still with no reasonable expectation that such desires will ever be gratified, some have said, “I believe the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord;” but also say that conscience troubles when working on Sunday.
The question now arises, Is conscience the educator? or is it to be educated? If conscience were the standard, and a perfect one, then all would think alike so far as its promptings were followed; for no man is without a degree of this element. The truth is, that an enlightened conscience is based upon reason, and reason only acts upon developed data; then revelation is a necessity, and that necessity is supplied. It is absolutely impossible to arrive at just conclusions be the reasoning ever so good, if the premises are improperly laid. Conscience being an essential in the development of true morality, it must necessarily be guided in its operation by established rules, and these rules emanate from the hand that is infinitely just and good.
It cannot be doubted that the Hindoo mother, the worshiper of the Grand Lama, or the devotee at the shrine of Mohammed are led by conscience; but how blind the guide! Is it not to be supposed that disrespect to the faith of the one or the devotions of the other would be met with rebuke? or if by enlightenment such faith should be forsaken for a purer, that thought would not revert and memory cling to old associations? Would it therefore be wrong for these to yield a false hope for a true one, because conscience had all their life led them wrong? Who among Christians would not with welcoming hand and loving heart greet the courage that would make the transition.
Once more the question rises, Is there any rule from a Bible standpoint for the observance of Sunday? If not, and there is none, then WHY should the mind be trammeled with the idea? If the Bible is the standard, and that does not say it is wrong to labor on that day, is it not therefore right? and should not conscience rest at this very point? If the word of God does not condemn, who shall fear condemnation? Would it not be better to say that the Bible points to the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord? Ex. 20:8-11, and the promise of life is to those who keep the commandments. Rev. 22:14; Matt. 19:17. If by breaking the command of God life will be lost, and by regarding it life is gained, which is the better course to pursue? Shall excuses, which will be of no avail in the Judgment, cause the way of life to be perverted? Eternal destinies hang upon the decisions of this hour. A few fleeting moments, and time is no more. It is time that the deepest earnestness should pervade all hearts. The Judge is at the door, and few are ready.
A friend who claims to believe that the seventh day is the Sabbath, says, I do not wish to be seen when working upon Sunday; yet he does not admit that conscience is disturbed when laboring upon the Sabbath. The statement amounts to simply this, that the fear of God is less before the eyes than the fear of man. For against the one is the express command of God; and against the other, no command at all; eye-service as men-pleasers will count but very little at the bar of God. If men could only be brought to think that no one has a right to retain a conscience that is not in harmony with the word of God, it would be well. But alas! how unwilling is the natural heart to have one of its desires abated or held in check.
Search will be made in vain for a single promise of blessing to the disobedient; but the righteous shall return with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads.
“Say ye to the righteous, saith the Lord, it shall be well with him, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked; it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Reader; is it with you life or death? loss or gain?
D. H. LAMSON.
Armada, Mich., Feb. 12, 1875.