AN EXHORTATION by R. F. Cottrell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 23, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 24.

AN EXHORTATION.

By R. F. Cottrell

How easy it is to backslide, but how difficult to return! It is easy to fall in with the spirit of the world, but to get rid of that spirit requires strong and persistent efforts. Without strong faith, these necessary efforts will not be made. What can be done when unbelief has taken the place of faith? How sad a thing it is to let a stubborn, rebellious heart steal away our faith! Without faith, we are powerless.

But there is help in God. We may so seek God that we may obtain the necessary help. We may have a hold from above, a connection with Heaven, that will give us the victory. This must be sought by earnest, agonizing prayer.

Who of us will thus seek the Lord? It seems evident that a crisis is upon us. Eternal interests are at stake. The unalterable decisions of the final Judgment are just before us. We have not been led to our present position by cunningly devised fables, but by the sure word of prophecy. And the fulfillment of the closing line of prophecy relating to the work of the church, assures us that we are far advanced in The Third Angel's Message, the last special call of the gospel, the most solemn and fearful warning ever announced to mankind since the days of Noah.

Now shall we let worldliness and self-will bind us in fetters of unbelief? or shall we humble ourselves and seek God for strength to prepare us for the trial of our faith which is before us? Wisdom says, Crucify self and seek God to-day. My brother, my sister, the promises of God are for us. We may have the promised help. God is not a respecter of persons. Salvation is for you and me, if we will strive for it in the appointed way. The Lord is still gracious. His arm is not shortened that he cannot save. He still bears that love for humanity that brought his Son from Heaven to earth, to be a sacrifice for sins. Shall his love to us be in vain? Shall we willfully reject the calls of his mercy, or carelessly lose our last opportunity to secure eternal life, through love of self and of the world? Forbid it, Heaven!

The cause of God will move on, and some will be prepared for translation, whether I shall be of the number or not. I rejoice in this, that there will be an innumerable host that will have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The hope of being one of that company is precious. God help us to wash our robes.

R. F. COTTRELL.