Is Any More Required?

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 20, 1879

Is Any More Required?

While the Rev. Richard Knill resided in Russia he engaged a Russian young woman named Erena as servant; and the following is the account he gives of her:

"When she first came to us she could read a little, and my wife encouraged her to persevere, and for this purpose a Psalter and Testament were given to her. She seemed to take great delight in reading, and we were gratified to perceive how she improved every spare moment for this sacred employ. The first time she evinced any emotion was one evening when she had been reading the history of Cornelius. She came to my wife with an anxious and inquiring look, and said, 'Please to explain this to me: Cornelius fasted, prayed to God always, and gave much alms to the people; yet he was commanded to send for Peter to obtain information what he ought to do. Pray how is this? What could he do more? Is any more required of us than to pray, give alms, and keep the fast?'"

"Mrs. Knill answered, 'If something more had not been necessary, the angel would not have commanded it; therefore proceed with the narrative, and mark what Peter said.' She proceeded; and when she read these words, 'To Him gave all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth on him shall receive remission of sins,' the young woman was overcome. She burst into a flood of tears, and soon exclaimed, 'Now I see it! it is by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ that we obtain forgiveness of sins.' From that day to this, her delight was in the Scriptures. Her diligence in business, and her zeal for the salvation of her relatives, made her very highly esteemed by us; and, as far as we can judge, she adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things. She proved a great treasure in the family."

To this question the professed moralist should give heed. Not one in a thousand who expect to stand in the judgment because they have lived upright lives, without faith in Christ, has so good a record as inspiration gives to Cornelius. How many failures have been marked by the eye of the infinitely holy and just One; and yet they have cared nothing for the all-important question of "the remission of sins that are past." What folly for a sinner to talk of being justified by his own righteousness! How precious the news to a fallen race, that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all unrighteousness. Christ and him crucified. Christ only, is the sinner's hope. "Blessed is the man that trusteth in him."