The Missionary by John Orr Corliss

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 11, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 47.

The Missionary.

By John Orr Corliss

What the Gospel Needs.

IN his first epistle to the Corinthians, the great apostle exhorts the church in the following language: "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." Chap. 16:13. From the rebukes administered to that people by the apostle, we judge that this closing admonition was seasonable. No doubt, too, the church profited by it, for we find Paul afterward commending the same people for their zeal and vehement desire for the right. 2 Cor. 7:11-13.

If the church at Corinth needed this stirring exhortation, much more has it been applicable to believers in later times. The history of the church reveals a series of crises—seasons of reformation—when faint-hearted men gave way before those who were fearless for the right, and stood firm in the faith. Erasmus of Rotterdam believed the doctrines taught by Luther and his co-laborers, but lacked the moral courage to publicly proclaim them. The reason is obvious. He feared the opposing sentiments of the masses, who were steeped in corruption through the errors of the Roman Church. "You desire to walk upon eggs without crushing them, and among glasses without breaking them," said Luther, in addressing the noted sage. The timorous, hesitating Erasmus replied, "I will not be unfaithful to the cause of Christ, at least so far as the age will permit me."

How different the character of the great Reformer. When summoned before that mighty potentate Charles V., to retract his bold utterances against the See of Rome, and his craven minions, he said: "Unless I am convicted of error by the testimony of the Bible, I cannot, and will not retract. Expect nothing else from me. I am done; God help me, Amen." These noble words of Luther, uttered before the imperial diet, have lived till now, and will live to the end, to be admired, as a memento of his faithfulness to his convictions of truth.

The truth for these times calls for just such staunch adherents as was the intrepid Luther. Much is lost now for the lack of courage. Men believe; they understand their duty, but halt tremblingly, while conscience cries loudly, "Do something; do it, do it!" But one says, there are difficulties to overcome. True, and the surest way to overcome these is to tackle them resolutely. A resolute will is becoming more and more necessary, as time continues. There are so many now who treat the requirements of God carelessly, that courage has become as necessary as integrity in the performance of duty.

He who lives conscientiously can afford, if need be, to walk alone in the path of duty. But the word of God requires each one to be faithful in small things as well as in great. Said the Saviour: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." Luke 16:10. One's faithfulness or unfaithfulness in small things determines his standing before God. We must also be faithful to the end. The answer of the slave to his would-be purchaser is worthy the careful study of all professed Christians: "Will you be faithful if I buy you?" "Yes," said the slave, "whether you buy me or not."

Let no one think he can be faithful in the service of God and meet no difficulties. There never was a time when trials and temptations did not assail the follower of Christ,—he who walks in the full light of the truth,—and there never will be. Notwithstanding some have tried to take the cross out of the Christian religion, the words of the great apostle still remind us that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Tim. 3:12. It cannot fail to be so, for he who follows closely the teachings of the Bible will conflict in practice with the majority around him, regardless of their profession. Whoever has the temerity to do this will certainly receive blows, sometimes too from that quarter which he would least expect—professed friends of the word of God.

This is not a new state of affairs either. Christ "came to his own and his own received him not." Every reformer from that time to this has met a similar fate. Through the long reign of papal supremacy, that church put to death its millions, because they dared simply to speak against abuses in the church. He who now attempts to speak against popular error, must prepare to be ostracised by the majority. But the promise to the overcomer is an eternal reward. Those only who fulfill the conditions given in the word of the Lord may hope for the prize. Who will be a victor in the race of life? Let him stand fast in the faith and be strong. J. O. CORLISS.