THEY WERE SCORCHED by A. O. Burrill

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 10, 1877

THEY WERE SCORCHED.

By A. O. Burrill

“Behold, a sower went forth to sow.” “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” “Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth; and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.” “Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for awhile; for when tribulation [that which occasions distress or vexation] or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.”

It is when trials and afflictions come upon us that we can best determine our spiritual standing. We are apt to form too favorable an opinion of our condition when in prosperity. But let adversity come, or reproof, or something that touches self, crosses the will, and soon they that have no root in themselves are ready to remain away from Sabbath-school, and in social meeting no more is heard from them. Perhaps family worship is dropped. What is the matter? “They were scorched.” It is now that we can tell the defects in our characters, and what points in them need strengthening, that we may be enabled to stand the test of the Judgment.

In the time of trials, the great question is, How can I best improve upon the circumstances of my condition? Can I do it by holding up self? by imagining self to be right and others wrong? No; but by denying self, by asking, Where am I wrong? Am I willing to confess my faults? It is not in finding fault with the instrumentalities by which our lacks are brought to light that this work can be accomplished; but in censuring ourselves because of our sins, in cultivating true humility with reference to them, and gratitude because they are brought to light, even though it be in a way that is not the most pleasing to us.

Shimei did not approach David in a very becoming manner; yet David, looking at his own sin, turned the crushing, revengeful, and Satanic course of Shimei, to a good account. He viewed the matter in the right light. He had sinned, and it was for him to feel the depths of his own wrong, and greatly to humble himself, that he might find mercy, whatever course others might pursue. Were we to have our way, we would never have trials. We would dodge them every time.

It is not pleasant to have our faults exposed. It is more gratifying to have our virtues told us. It is Satan’s object to have us look away from our sins, that we may not fully see them and overcome them, and that we may be lost at last. When we are constantly aiming to build up self by palliating our wrongs, and brooding over the faults of others, we are aiding Satan in carrying out his plan. This is very unprofitable business, though it may be wonderfully gratifying for the present. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” What an awful condition to be in,—to think we are about right, and that others are wrong!

This is the danger of all in trials. We may be able to tell whether we are on the side of Satan or the side of God by the answers we are enabled to give to such questions as the following: Do I feel sensitive when my faults are developed; or do I feel to adopt the language of one of old,—“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head; for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities”? Ps. 141:5. Does my course tend to genuine humility or to pride? to light in the Lord or to darkness in sin? to freedom and communion with God or to selfishness and exaltation? to a stronger love for the brethren or to increased hatred toward them? to increasing confidence in the truth, as shown by paying in my S. S. and T. and M. pledges or to skepticism and unbelief? Do I love secret devotion more, or do I love it less? Is my taste for reading the Bible and the Testimonies increasing or decreasing? Do I have an increasing anxiety to keep pace with the different reforms among us, or is my anxiety lagging in this direction? Do I experience more love for heavenly things, and less for earthly things? Is my conscience as tender as it once was? Do I count it all joy when I fall into divers temptations? Do I have a stronger love for perishing souls around me as the end is drawing nearer? Do I realize the love of Christ in my soul? and do I long to see him as he is? Dear brethren and sisters, may we realize how hateful sin is to a holy God, and put it away ere it is too late. A. O. Burrill.