AGREEABLENESS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 22, 1877

Of all the people in the world Christians should be the most agreeable.

In true religion there is nothing repulsive. Men have been led to hate religious themes by an unwise presentation of them. Sometimes we find individuals who have an aversion to the Bible, because when children they were compelled to memorize a portion as a punishment. This is certainly wrong. Everything in connection with spiritual matters should be made agreeable.

When we see a professed Christian forever going about with an elongated countenance, perpetually heaving long-drawn sighs, and speaking in sepulchral tones upon dolorous themes, you may rest assured that individual is a stranger to the religion which bids men rejoice always. It is not at all essential in order to be an acceptable Christian to abound in death-bed stories and take a morbid delight in the agonies and horrors of this life.

One who is pardoned, one who has the “light and life of men” as his portion, should be able to sing, and show too, that it really was a happy day that fixed his choice on Christ. Then, too, in talking upon religious subjects, speak cheerfully and feel so.

Sin is gloomy: religion certainly is not. Wickedness, viewed in any phase, is a sad sight, but righteousness is a constant source of joy. Evil brought death, sorrow, and tears: true goodness dispels these and gives us life, comfort, and abiding happiness. Let us, then, beloved, consider the grace of agreeableness as a component part of a perfect Christian character.

Be agreeable in the presentation of truth, the transactions of business, the domestic duties of life, and in all things, at all times, be agreeable. With David, “sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. . . . Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.”—Sel.