Convenience and Worldly Favor.
By E. R. Jones
WHEN the duty to observe the fourth commandment is pressed home upon the consideration of the people, many say that if the seventh day was generally regarded, they certainly would keep it; for they are fully persuaded that it alone is the day the Scriptures enjoin. But the great majority do not keep it, and look with disfavor on those that do. It is evident at once that those who make such a plea, regard their own convenience and the good opinion of their fellow-men as of more importance than obedience to God. Many would serve him if it involved no sacrifice of worldly goods and comforts and of the favor of others. What vast multitudes would follow Christ if there were no cross to bear in so doing! Few indeed have had an ear to hear from him, "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Worldly convenience and favor are to them superior to all other claims; and, like some in the days of old, they love the praise of men more than the praise of God. "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil," is the positive word of the Lord. And yet how many look to the course of the multitude as the highest authority by which they are to be governed, in utter forgetfulness or neglect of the Scripture declaration that the way to destruction is broad and many walk therein; while the way to life is narrow, and few find it. The ancient worthies did not so lightly regard their duty to obey God. The world mocked and scourged them. They were bound and cast into prison; they were stoned, and slain with the sword; they wandered in deserts and in mountains, in dens and caves of the earth; they wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins, and were destitute, afflicted, tormented; "of whom the world was not worthy." These looked not to the world for their example, nor chose its paths of ease. They sought not its favors nor their own convenience and comfort. By so doing, they could have escaped all this affliction and sorrow; for the world will love its own. Choosing rather to suffer the loss of home and friends, and all that this world holds dear, that they might gain the better and enduring substance, they walked in the narrow path, with its little company and many trials, because they knew it was the way of God's own choosing. The apostles, too, were few in number, and were also reviled and persecuted and shamefully handled; they learned, alas, too well! that all who would live godly in Christ Jesus should suffer persecution. They braved the wrath of their enemies because they had been taught by the Master that whosoever would be the friend of the world was the enemy of God. They were not of the world, and therefore the world hated them. Their persecutors were met with the potent inquiry, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." To bear the cross of the Saviour and do his bidding was their only thought. In the way the masses went they could not go, for it was the way of disobedience and death. Their example is for us to follow; and these things are written for our learning that we may shun the way where the many go, and be among the little flock who choose the narrow way because it leads unto life. E. R. JONES.