IS THERE A REMEDY? by S. B. Whitney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 28, 1878

IS THERE A REMEDY?

By S. B. Whitney

A REMEDY for what? We see placarded on rocks, fences, trees, outbuildings, and in every available place, advertisements of a thousand and one remedies for the ills that flesh is heir to; but amid the multitudinous specifics, panaceas, and cure-alls, none are recommended for one terrible malady,—church difficulties. Churches suffer and groan, languish and almost die, and the cause of God is nearly ruined; but no philanthropist of the ordinary type offers any relief. Ministers labor and pray, expostulate and entreat, still the terrible evil remains. Chronic derangement of the heart, resulting in an unconsecrated condition of the whole system; inflammation of the brain, producing a heated imagination; a neuralgic affection of the tongue, causing an unusual and abnormal action of that organ,—all these symptoms exist in some cases to so great an extent as to make it a question whether the patient will ever recover, whether there is sufficient vitality to endure the treatment necessary to effect a cure.

Cannot this state of things be helped? Is there no remedy? We think there is if those who need it can be induced to take it, and we venture to suggest the remedy. Our first prescription is godly sorrow, in doses so plentiful as to produce great humility of mind, and cause hearty confessions of past wrongs to be thrown off in profusion; this to be followed by a warm bath in kindly affections, compassion one of another, pity and courtesy, Rom. 12: 10; 1 Pet. 3: 8, with an internal application at the same time of the love of God shed abroad in the heart. As a preventive, the constant use of watchfulness and prayer is recommended, to be vigorously applied, especially on any indication of a return of the symptoms.

In order that this treatment be permanently effective, it should be followed up by active exercise. This is as necessary to spiritual as to physical health, and especial provision has been made for this exercise in the organization of the tract and missionary societies. If our brethren and sisters would realize the responsibilities of this time and interest themselves to engage in this work; if our sisters, especially those who are so much inclined to talk, and must give vent in this direction or suffer from the pressure of pent-up feelings, would combine themselves, as many noble souls are doing, in vigilant missionary societies, and become deeply imbued with love for souls and the work of saving them, having their minds and hands engaged in spreading the precious rays of light, hunting up those who can be reached by the truth and corresponding with those who become interested in it,—they would find ample exercise for all their powers and but little time for unprofitable reflection and gossip; and such an experience would prove a wonderful tonic and an almost universal panacea for spiritual maladies. But we venture the opinion that those who neglect this work, and are content to be idlers in the Lord’s vineyard, thus refusing to improve the way Providence has so clearly opened for them to become co-workers with Christ, will die from the effect of some of these maladies; and we shall soon have to mourn their loss and perform funeral rites that will be sad indeed.

Come, brethren, let us wake up, and not measure our experience in the future by what it has been in the past. Let us not think that what has been must always be; but let us remember that if we remain as we are we shall never be fit for the kingdom. Our work is one of overcoming, which implies a letting go and forsaking of past wrongs and a constant progression toward the right; and the promises are made only to the overcomers.

S. B. WHITNEY.