p. 356 | We're Holding on Yet by G. D. Ballou

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 12, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 23.

"We're Holding on Yet."

By G. D. Ballou

WELL, my brother, it is a source of some pleasure to us to know that you are "holding on." The truth of God, as brought to light by the three angels' messages, is sure to triumph gloriously, and those who have a firm hold upon this truth, and upon whom it has a firm hold, will just as surely triumph with it.

Since hearing your remark, I have been reflecting considerably, not questioning the fact of your "holding on," nor whether you had a firm hold or not, but as to where you have hold. There is no doubt whatever but it is easier to hold on behind, especially if everything is moving forward briskly. It is plain to be seen that less effort is required to just "hold on" than is needed when we take hold to push or pull. By holding on behind one may be dragged along until he becomes tired and drops off. There is no exercise to increase the strength, and after awhile hanging on becomes monotonous, and then we just let go to see how it will seem, and are left by the way. Those who only hold on behind have no interest to make the burden move, and being only interested to have an easy time, when some object by the way attracts their attention, and bids fair to give greater pleasure, it is but natural to loosen their hold on a work which only gives permanent pleasure in proportion to the amount of faith and effort put forth in its behalf.

Just holding on does not make the load move. Somebody must be pulling in the harness, and others pushing at the wheel, otherwise holding on behind would become dull business. We sometimes hear people say, "Well, we've got the truth and the truth is going to save us." But the truth cannot save you unless you honor the truth, and take hold to help advance the cause of truth in the earth. It is like a man being in a boat and wanting to cross the river; the boat will not carry him across by its own efforts. He must take hold of the oars and propel the boat, and then it will carry him over. Our knowing and believing the truth will not save us unless we make use of our knowledge and faith by trying to assist others to gain the kingdom. And we may have ever so firm a hold of the truth, unless we are trying to advance, and honor, and exalt the cause of truth by the use of all our God-given abilities, it will avail nothing in the end.

Get a firm hold of the truth, my brother, and hold on faithfully, and then exercise the little strength you may have by laboring to make the car of truth move forward. Then your strength will increase, and you will see the work advance, and you may at last reap the reward of your labors. But if you are content to merely hold on, without putting forth positive, earnest efforts, you must surely fail to receive the welcome, "Well done," for it is spoken only to the well-doer.

Get hold firmly from above, and then reach out to help your fellow-men. Thus doing, you will honor and exalt the truth of God, and in the great day of accounts God will in turn exalt you to a place in his kingdom, and honor you with the gift of eternal life, and the privilege of enjoying the society of Jesus, and angels, and the good and blest of every age, throughout the endless years of eternity.

G. D. BALLOU. St. Clair, Nev., May 28, 1884.