NOT IGNORANT OF HIS WILES.
By V. J. C.
Our adversary has grown old in the war against the human family, and knows well the weak points of our fallen nature. It is not wisdom for us, therefore, to let him have the victory, and sit quietly down in discouragement or carelessness. In every way possible will he try to out-general us, or take our peace of mind. God’s people, at this time, are special objects of hatred, and if it were not that there is One able to help, we might well despair. The camp-meeting season has come, and Satan is specially busy at this time, trying to bring division and discouragement, and pressing his darkness on the minds of the people. Then how closely should we watch! how fervently should we pray! It ought to be a time of humbling ourselves, of confession of sins, and of crying mightily to God for victory. We should not wait to do this work at the meeting; but all over the land, our churches, and also the scattered ones, should, with one accord, seek God with all the heart. Let us begin now. Let us search carefully to see if we are walking in the light. Instead of adding to the burdens of God’s tried, chosen servants, we should learn to bear burdens ourselves, learn to work for the salvation of souls. If all will take hold of this work, we shall see more of God’s presence among us than we have ever seen; we shall feel more of his presence than we have ever felt. He is willing, and waiting to bless his people; but our sins have separated us from him. If we ever have eternal life, it will not be obtained by a life of ease or pleasure. Only the self-sacrificing ones, those who follow in the steps of our Saviour, will ever gain admittance through the pearly gates, or eat of the fruit of the never-fading tree of life. The way is very strait, and we must have help or we shall fall. We must carefully guard against pride and the love of the world, and leave these things for the enjoyment of those not looking for the soon-appearing of our Lord. We need the rich blessing of Heaven. We may have it by seeking earnestly. “Seek and ye shall find,” is the promise given us, and no one ever sought the blessing earnestly, and with the whole heart, and was disappointed. V. J. C.