HINDRANCES TO THE GOSPEL.
By C. A. Osgood
The preaching of the truth is God's chosen instrumentality for the conversion and salvation of men. Professed Christians are the representatives of Christ on the earth. If their lives and actions are in accordance with “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” they help forward the work of God in the salvation of others. Their good works shed a light around, and so men are attracted to the light, and are led to glorify God. The success of truth is hindered in many ways and by many persons. Prejudice, and love of ease, of popularity, of wealth, and of pleasure, hinder very many from receiving “into good and honest hearts” the word preached. The opposition of friends and neighbors, especially of nominal Christians, hinders many from obeying the truth. For as it was anciently, so it is now: many who make high professions of godliness “shut up the kingdom of Heaven against men;” for they neither go in themselves, nor suffer them that are entering to go in. Matt. 23: 13. These occupy a fearful position. Those who do the most to hinder the gospel in these last times are such as have listened with interest to the truths of the third angel's message, and have received them, but have failed to become sanctified by the truth. They do not live as they would if they really believed that “the end of all things is at hand.” Some of these still cling to the gay fashions of the world, still wear their “costly array” and ornaments of gold; and still delight to associate with those who love this world and its vanities. Their thoughts and purposes are worldly. They talk like the world, and clearly show that they are not looking for the coming of the Lord. And while they remain where they are, they effectually hinder their associates from feeling the force of the truth, however faithfully it may be preached. Then there are the avaricious members; sad indeed it is that there are any such. Their inordinate love of gain is manifest whenever they buy or sell or exchange property, or when they engage in any business transaction. How anxious they are to get the best end of the bargain. How particular to contend for every cent that belongs to them, and something more, if possible. What darkness such persons shed around them! People are afraid of them. They say such persons do not believe what they profess. Neighbors have no confidence in the piety of such professors. The surrounding community live on in their sins and darkness, and all the preaching they may hear becomes “a savor of death unto death.” There are in some churches brethren and sisters who do not love one another. In some instances they harbor feelings of enmity against one another. Difficulties between them remain for a long time unsettled. In many instances, neither party is willing to make the least concession. Unkind words, very many of them, are spoken. Unbelievers hear them. Alas! they cannot say, How these Christians love one another. On the contrary, they are disgusted. They say, If this is the fruit of your faith, we want none of it. Their hearts become hardened. They have but little desire to hear the truth preached, and if they do hear it, it does them no good. So they go on in their sins. They have been hindered from obeying the truth by the unworthy lives of those who profess to love the truth. In conclusion: Let us begin to realize how great, either for good or ill, is the influence of our actions. Did we but feel the solemnity and importance of the times as we ought, did we feel the value of souls as did the apostle to the Gentiles, we should be willing to “suffer all things,” rather than to “hinder the gospel of Christ.” C. A. OSGOOD.