Self-Sacrifice by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 11, 1875

Self-Sacrifice.

By Jos. Clarke

In the daily history of our race much that is beautiful and noble is continually taking place, which, if written down, would keep many pens and presses constantly employed. Low as we have fallen, as a race, there is yet something left of the original excellence and virtue of our first parents. Men in their efforts to assist one another often bring themselves into strait places, and without a word of complaint they risk life itself, and fortune, when it is called for, in saving a fellow-man from misfortune or peril.

This principle is of itself noble and divine, and is admired of God, angels, and men. When it is sanctified and strengthened by the Spirit of God, it elevates the human to the divine nature to such an extent as to bring the possessor into a very close relationship to the inhabitants of Heaven, and to the Saviour, who laid down his wealth and his life for man.

Soldiers sometimes put themselves in the most dangerous positions to save a fellow soldier; and the same is true of sea-faring men. They will do and dare anything to save life; and sometimes the most valued men have lost their lives to obtain even the body of a fallen comrade on the battle field.

A very striking case of regard for the life of a fellow-man, even an enemy, was recently related by a brother in our meeting. During the late rebellion, a wounded rebel lay in agony and blood, groaning with pain, and crying most piteously for aid. He lay midway between the two lines of battle, and it seemed like instant death for any one to venture out to assist him. His rebel comrades dared not venture amid shot and shell to rescue their wounded fellow soldier; but the Union soldiers could not hear his cries unmoved; so two brave men crawled upon the ground to the wounded man within ten rods of the rebel line, and dragged him to a safe place in the Union army. By the good providence of God, they escaped unhurt, and the rescued man recovered and joined the ranks of the Union army.

The circumstance, remarked our brother, shows that by kindness we may win even our enemies to the side of truth. We should show kindness not only to our brethren, but to all men with whom we may be associated in life, even our enemies, and thus souls may be saved.

Many know just how to accumulate wealth for self, but have never learned to pay out for the public good. If a soldier will risk his life for another life, how much more should Christ’s soldiers risk means, and time, and talent, in the grand and important enterprise of saving souls! JOS. CLARKE.