HOW TO INCREASE OUR SPIRITUALITY.
By Wm. Covert.
I find in some places a great lack of spirituality. In the social meetings you will hear testimonies like the following: “I believe we have the truth, but I do not enjoy as much of the Spirit of God as I would like to. Pray for me that I may do my duty. I want to do something for Jesus, who has done so much for me.” You will hear the same formal statement the year round, and if you notice the individuals who give such testimonies, you will see that from the time the benediction is pronounced until the opening exercises the next Sabbath, they are wholly engaged in worldly matters or gossip. My dear brother or sister, this is all wrong. You may enjoy freedom in the service of the Lord, and may help others to do the same. Read Acts 8:1-4. When persecution scattered the church, they went everywhere, preaching the word. The directors could find plenty of missionary workers then; but if everything had been calm, very likely they would have remained at home, expecting to hear good reports from the ministers who were out in the field. But the stay-at-home disposition of the members must be overcome in some way. This was accomplished by permitting the enemy to break in upon them and cause many of them to be committed to prison. Brethren and sisters, shall we remain at home and wait for the fires of persecution to break up our churches? or shall we go everywhere, preaching the word with our publications? I know of some who are on the point of giving up the truth because some of their friends are dissatisfied with it. If such individuals will load up their valises or buggies with publications on the third angel’s message, and scatter them, they will find one hundred homes for the one they leave, and at last an eternal home in the kingdom of God; and they will meet with something to encourage them every day. My soul is stirred when I see the sad condition the world is in. We have no time to idle away in mourning over our lack of spirituality. If we are cold, it is because God cannot indorse our idleness by giving us great spiritual blessings. Do something in the cause of God, and then tell me if you feel as cold and doubtful as you did. If you desire to lose your interest in the message, and put out the Advent fire that is burning in your heart, just oppose the T. and M. work. If you want this fire fanned to a healthy blaze, take a lively interest in this work. The world is before us, and God wants us to help warn it.