Disappointments by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 17, 1875

Disappointments.

By Jos. Clarke

TRIALS and disappointments seem to be allotted to all in this world of sorrow. Ever since our first parents were driven from the garden of Eden, man has felt the consequences of sin.

Abraham was severely tried by the misfortunes and selfishness of Lot, whom he had protected, defended, and enriched.

Moses was greatly afflicted by the depravity, wickedness, and ingratitude of the people he loved and befriended.

Samuel was afflicted, first, at the fall of Eli and his family, and, secondly, at the failure of Saul, whom he had crowned king of Israel, and from whom he had expected much.

David was persecuted by Saul in his early career, and was conspired against by his own son in his old age.

Daniel was afflicted by his captors from the first, yet he rose under the blessing of God from a life of servitude to that of a prince. By his energy and tact, and by diligence and industry, he won the laurels of a conqueror in the very fires of persecution.

All who have stood high on the roll of honor in the church of God have manfully battled with misfortune and disappointments. Every good cause has had its days of trial and its infancy of weakness. Before it arose to a degree of strength which would enable it to face the frowns of an apostate world, disappointments have happened to each.

Columbus, on account of his maritime zeal, which led to the discovery of America, was called a madman; and after he had achieved a success which won for him undying fame, he died the victim of envious foes.

The persecutions which were endured by Luther and his contemporary reformers attest the afflictions and disappointments which befell the cause of the reformation in Europe in the sixteenth century.

Even the revival of useful sciences and arts, and the inventions of recent date, must pass the ordeal of persecution and opposition. Copernicus and Galileo both testify to the meanness of religious bigotry, and both underwent great disappointment.

The art of printing, which deserved a great reward to its discoverers, was undervalued for a time, and its authors were treated with contempt; and some of our most useful inventions have cost the inventor a life of pain and keen disappointment. So it has been in all great religious movements; we see that the infancy of each cost many pangs of disappointment and sorrow.

John the Baptist, no doubt, expected much from the Messiah whom he heralded, and whose coming he proclaimed; yet when he reached the zenith of his career, and had seen the heavenly visitant, his work closed in the remarkable scene at Christ’s baptism; and instead of contracting an acquaintance with the divine Saviour, and enjoying his friendship and protection, he was cast into prison. No doubt he expected his Lord to deliver him; but, lo! the ax of the executioner! Was there not keen disappointment in this? Could disappointment be more severe?

Just before the crucifixion of Jesus, the resurrection of Lazarus and his own triumphal entry into Jerusalem raised the hopes of his followers and the expectations of the common people to the highest pitch of excitement; but, alas! his death upon the cross cast a gloom and a weight of disappointment upon all his friends and all his followers.

Tests must be applied; the good must be sifted, and the chaff blown to the winds. And so it happened to the people then. The insincere, whose hearts were only set on temporal interests, joined with the mob in reviling the Crucified One; but the loving and true hid their faces in sorrow and disappointment.

The apostle Peter, who had been engaged in the work of the ministry, and with his fellow-laborers had done many mighty miracles, now lays down his high commission, and says in the depth of his sorrow, I will return to my former avocation. Our dear Master has forsaken us.

Expensive preparations were made for embalming the body of the One from whom they expected temporal and spiritual deliverance, and deep grief and sorrow of heart took possession of all those who loved the Lord. Could it be possible for hopes to be more thoroughly disappointed, or hearts to be made more sad?

So in the proclamation of the second coming of Christ. By the disappointment of 1844, believers in that message were tested, the good were proved, and the bad were left in the dark cloud of unbelief.

Disappointment nerves the resolute with new energy and hidden power and strength.

JOS. CLARKE.