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THE LOVE OF GOD

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 24, 1876

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 48, No. 9.

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THE LOVE OF GOD.

By Eliza H. Morton

Love is an attribute of the heart. I pity the individual who has never felt its sweet influence; indeed, I doubt if there ever was an intelligent person who did not love something. It may be the wealth of the heart’s affections is lavished upon a companion, a child, a friend, earthly treasure, a pet animal, or even a plant; but still the heart loves, and that love keeps it alive. Oh! the coldness, the bitterness, the barrenness, the hardness of a life without love! Language cannot describe it. The mind of man cannot imagine it. It may be many are not aware that they love, but if the veil were taken away they would see they do love, and love fervently. The painter loves his art; the mechanic loves his trade; the botanist loves flowers; the geologist loves rocks; and all have more or less love for the works of nature.
Earthly friends may prove unkind, untrue, and unsympathizing; earthly pleasures may be interrupted; earthly treasures may be taken from us; a painful, aching void may be left in the heart, and we may be bitterly disappointed with the world; but there is a friend that “sticketh closer than a brother,” One whose love is so amazing as to demand our souls, our lives, and our all, in return. It is this love which is the source and fountain of all true love. In it we may find full and free course for our heart’s affections. As the heart was made to love something, is it not right that it should lavish its warmest, best affections upon the Creator? What earthly friend is there so sympathizing, forgiving as He who laid down his life for us? In trying to comprehend this love our minds become wearied and overwhelmed, and we are satisfied to rest content, knowing that it is so.
The love of God is a pure stream, a living fountain, a satisfying portion, a hiding-place from the wintry storm, a shelter from the noon-day heat, “the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” This love invites you to come. It promises you in this world, peace, rest, a calm happiness, and the joy of loving the “King of Glory” and being loved by him; and after this life a position higher than the highest earthly office, a title grander than that of the greatest earthly monarch; and an inheritance richer than all the fabled wealth of the Orient. Who can afford to spurn the love of God?
ELIZA H. MORTON.
Allen’s Corner, Me.