PATIENCE by Augusta W. Heald

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Mar 1, 1905

PATIENCE.

By Augusta W. Heald

BY AUGUSTA W. HEALD.

IT is not natural for the human heart to covet the attribute of patience. It seems rather to the carnal man a virtue scarcely to be desired; and yet this same virtue has a prominent place in the teachings of the Sacred Word. In fact it is to be a particular characteristic of the faithful in the last generation of earth, "Here is the patience of the saints." Rev. 14:12. "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." James 5:7.

Surely, the conditions of the last days, as foretold by prophets and apostles, and already witnessed in part, call for the special exercise of this virtue.

The far East and the frigid North are involved in the horror of war. Our sisters in heathen lands and the isles of the sea groan beneath their burdens of idolatry and superstition; while our own more favored land, the boasted "home of liberty," is distracted by the greed of capital and the wrongs of the poor, by the ravages of vice, the social evil, and increasing lawlessness. From every land the piteous cries of the broken-hearted ascend to high Heaven and are "entered into the ears" of the all-pitying Father, "the Lord of sabaoth."

It is a matter of prophecy (See Dan. 12:1) that the last generation will pass through "a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation." True, God's people will be delivered; yet, "We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22.

Are we cultivating patience in our every-day life? How can we expect patiently to endure the severest trials if this plant of heavenly growth has not already found root in our hearts? In our daily intercourse with others, in the home, the field, the school, the shop, there are unnumbered occasions to call for the exercise of patience. We may be daily learning lessons which, under God, will prepare us to stand through the "time of trouble."

There are sins to be overcome, there are crosses to be borne by each one, before the righteousness of Christ can be revealed in us, before we can receive the "seal of the living God," and the white raiment wherein alone we are fitted "to stand before the Son of Man" at His appearing.

Will we cheerfully yield our wills, our preference, our rights, it may be? This is not easy, but the harder it seems to us, perhaps the greater the need of this same experience, that so we may gain self-control, and be able in patience to possess our souls.

It is "through faith and patience" that we "inherit the promises." It is only through "the patience and the faith of the saints" that they are enabled to receive that divine grace, which will enable them to "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Shall we not then "let patience have her perfect work" that we may be found "perfect and entire, wanting nothing," worthy to join the angelic throng in the universal song of praise, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain"?

Windham, N. H.