Sanctification by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 1, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 13.

Sanctification.

By Editor

LETTERS are received from those who are troubled on the subject of sanctification. From what we can gather, we judge that they do not possess a certain state of feeling which they consider necessary to the enjoyment of the favor of God. But that state of feeling which they so anxiously seek may be as far removed from a state of Scriptural sanctification as midnight is from noon.

In that admirable little work called "Testimony for the Church"—No. 16, is an article on "Love," which is not excelled by anything in the English language. In it are the following words:—

"Seek not for happiness; for it is never to be found by seeking for it. Go about your duty. Let faithfulness mark all your doings, and be clothed with humility."

Now if you substitute "sanctification" for "happiness" in the above extract, it will be equally truthful and instructive. The prayer of the Saviour is that we may be sanctified through the truth; and Peter says to the brethren that they had purified their souls in obeying the truth. The modern method of being purified, or sanctified, is in answer to prayer, without reference to the truth or obedience to the truth. And then the individual refuses to listen to the truth, considering it unnecessary, because he has been sanctified without reference to it!

Now our friends may protest that they do not believe in such a theory or practice. Very well, but are they not acting upon the same basis? Have not their views of sanctification been moulded by those who do follow that theory and practice? In so strongly desiring a certain state of feeling, aside from their obedience and service to God, are they not following in the wake of those who make feeling the sole test of a holy life or of acceptance with God? They cannot say, "Blessed are they that mourn;" for they have no idea of a blessing aside from a comfortable feeling. They cannot say, "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness;" for their only evidence of a blessing is that a person is riding on the high wave of self-satisfaction. Faith does not need to be fed on any particular state of feeling; fanaticism cannot live without it. Genuine faith is that which

"—shines more bright and clear When tempests rage without; That when in danger knows no fear, In darkness feels no doubt."

Again we recommend the words from which we quoted. Seek not for happiness; forget self; go about your duty; let faithfulness mark all your doings, and be clothed with humility. Learn a lesson from Isa. 50:10, 11. Avoid the way of those who walk in the light of their own fire, and in sparks of their own kindling. And God shall add unto you that peace that flows as a river; not that which babbles as a brook which flows only after a rain.