Warnings by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 4, 1875

Warnings

By Jos. Clarke

ARE given to save us from trouble and destruction; from impending evils into which we are in danger of falling, and which we may in some way avoid. Nothing but love and kindness could prompt a warning voice, yet it is often disregarded.

Pride holds up our courage while we resist the faithful monitor, whether it is from within or without, and Satan also sustains the heart which might, without his influence, yield to good counsel.

To avoid ruin, we implore God to help us, and he warns us of danger, and points us to the narrow way. To get the benefit of his counsel we must heed that counsel, shun the wrong, and hold the right, even though it be contrary to our inclination. Some things are against us in doing this; and many causes operate adversely to our spiritual good, and hinder us from heeding good instruction, and timely warnings. One is forgetfulness. No subjects so soon slip from the mind as those which wound our pride. Another is hardness of heart, which prevents a proper impression being made of our danger. Another is self-confidence, which leans upon itself, and thus hinders prayer, and devotion, and watchfulness. Another is care for the present life, and labors, and charms, which occupy the mind so fully that heavenly things are gradually crowded out.

Only constant, eternal vigilance is the price of eternal life; and this only by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Jos. Clarke.