Convinced, but not Obedient.
IF all who stand to-day fully convinced of the truth would immediately obey it, how prodigiously would it swell the ranks of commandment-keepers. Those who have had much experience in preaching the word know that the hard spot in the battle is to induce men to commence the practice of Christian duties that are urged upon them, even after they are persuaded that the word of God demands it at their hands. To convince the judgment, is a comparatively easy work; to lead men to that which is the vital part of conversion, a reformation of life, is a more difficult matter. To openly acknowledge the claims of duty, to avow a clear understanding of what God's law requires, and yet refuse to obey, is a position so strange, so presumptuous and indefensible, that few are willing to own that that is where they stand. Multitudes, as it is easy to see, are fully convinced of the truth, who will not in so many words acknowledge it, yet some in unmistakable language confess their true position. Thus a friend writes:— "For about six months I have been reading on the Sabbath question, and it has fully convinced me that the seventh day is the only day to keep and conform to God's commandments. It may be that I never shall keep the seventh day as the Sabbath; but notwithstanding this, I freely confess that the seventh day is the only true Sabbath to keep." If others would be as frank in the expression of their views, we think there would be many more testimonies to the plainness of the Sabbath truth. But how shall we account for his words when he says, "It may be that I never shall keep the seventh day as the Sabbath"? Why not keep it? Since you see and acknowledge that God requires it, why not? Such a position under such circumstances is a most inexcusable and dangerous one. What excuse will such persons render for their course in the great day of accounts? Others who refuse to keep the Sabbath profess to have some reason for so doing. They take those things for reasons which of course are no reasons, and no doubt force their consciences to the acceptance of excuses with which they are not themselves satisfied. Nevertheless they think that they can make some show of reason for their course of action when they shall be required to answer for the deeds done in the body. But he who acknowledges God's will, yet refuses to obey it, confesses judgment beforehand. On such points as are covered by his confession, at least he bars the way against all excuses. He advertises himself in advance as one who, when the King comes in to examine the guests, will be speechless. Sins of ignorance, and sins of judgment, have some palliation; but sins deliberately committed against light and knowledge, none. "If I had not come," says Christ, "and spoken unto them, they had not had sin; but now they have no cloak for their sin." How can persons occupy such a position and calmly contemplate the future? Some indescribable infatuation must be upon them. We would earnestly entreat them to offer no longer willful provocation to the judgments of Heaven. We would plead with them to make haste to obey that which they know to be truth. Delay not to keep the commandments of God. Confer not with flesh and blood. Give no weight to worldly objections in the scale of moral duty. Most deplorably wretched among the lost will be those who have plunged on to perdition with the light of truth glaring in their very faces, and the voice of duty tenderly imploring them at every step to turn into the way of everlasting life. Pollok, saving only his wrong idea of the duration of future punishment, forcibly describes the condition of such:— "And as I listened I heard these beings curse Almighty God, and curse the Lamb and curse The earth, the resurrection morn, and seek, And ever vainly seek for utter death. And to their everlasting anguish still The thunders from above responding spoke These words which through the caverns of perdition Forlornly echoing fell on every ear— 'Ye knew your duty but ye did it not.' And back recoiled again a deeper groan. A deeper groan! Oh, what a groan was that!"