“IF SINNERS ENTICE THEE.”
By D. A. Grant
Dear Youth: I feel to address a few lines to you through the columns of our much-loved paper. How solemn the times in which we live! How much involved in the way we improve our time,—the sacred, precious moments of probation! We are assured that Satan will come down in great wrath, when he knows that he has but a short time. How surely is Holy Writ being fulfilled! How forcibly do we feel that he is trying to make war with the remnant of the woman's seed, who are keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus! We believe there are few Sabbath-keepers, even, who are aware how very near the coming of the Lord is. The state of the world, the condition of the churches, and the signs of the times, all declare in thunder tones that the day of the Lord is near. We have none too much time to prepare for eternity. Only a few more trials and sorrows, and then the “sweet rest in Heaven.” A few more prayers and tears, and life's struggle is over. And then, if we have been faithful, the promise is sure. Rev. 21:4. But, my dear young friends, the enemy is mighty, and he will try all his wiles. Has he not suggested to your minds that you can enter a little more into the spirit of the world? that you are young and need some diversion, some amusement, and that it is right you should have it? And if he sees that you still seem inclined to listen to the voice of God, to “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,” he will select some one through whom he can work (and he can always find an agent), and he will just whisper (cautiously at first, lest he become foiled in his purposes) that you have a perfect right to enjoy the pleasures of the world to a much greater extent than you do, that there are innocent amusements in which a Christian may participate without fear of losing spiritual life. We have heard Christians (?) use this argument in favor of church festivals, oyster-suppers, sociables, etc., and there are those who even dare argue in favor of the ball-room! If any who read these lines have been ensnared by those wiles of Satan, I ask them to stop and reflect. Do you feel happy in the society of those who laugh your religion to scorn, and never wish to hear the name of the Lord? And is it possible that any have so far departed from the Lord that they prefer to spend their leisure moments in the company of such, rather than with the true followers of Christ, who are willing and competent to instruct them in the ways of righteousness and peace? If there are any such, we do not hesitate to say, You need a new conversion. You will never be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of man unless you at once change your course. But some one may ask, “Are you quite sure that my advisers have not been right, in the main, and that I may partake of such amusements only at the risk of losing eternal life?” We feel quite sure that no one who has really “tasted, and seen that the Lord is gracious,” can ask this question without feeling in his heart that he is wrong. The next time you think of engaging in any of these very innocent amusements, ask Jesus if he will go with you, and grant his blessing, and my word for it, if you have the least desire to obey God, you will never go again. Would that you might feel the shortness of time as we feel it, and realize the importance of being ready, as God's dear children should; you would not be inquiring how far you could go with the world, but rather how much you could do for Jesus, who did, and is doing, so much for you. His precious blood was spilled,—his blood, which alone can cleanse and save. He is willing and abundantly able to save all who will come to him with a humble heart, and confess their sins. My dear young friends, no sin can enter there—nothing that shall defile, or in any way mar the happiness of the sinless throng, who will be gathered there so soon. It is not too late. Jesus still pleads for guilty man. Oh! who will slight him? So surely as we do, so surely shall we encounter his wrath,—the wrath of the loving, pitying Jesus! Who can stand when he comes? Be warned in season, while you can now hear the sweet voice of mercy. Let it be your aim to do what you can, with a cheerful heart and a right motive. And now, remember the parting words of this brief article, “If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” D. A. Grant.