PRESENT TRUTH AND PRESENT DUTY.
By W. S. Sadler
"Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, tho ye know them, and be established in the present truth." 2 Peter 1:12. WITH present truth comes at the same time a present duty,—a duty to give it to others. We can be well posted on present truth, yet not necessarily be well established in it. It is quite possible, even, to be thoroughly well posted in all the theories of the Third Angel's Message, while being but poorly established in it. It is one thing to hold truths in the mind, but a totally-different thing to have those truths so much a part of one's character that in our daily lives may be seen their purifying and sanctifying influence. Not only should we be able to give a reason for the hope within us, but our lives should actually be such as will lead our associates to recognize that we have been with Christ and have learned of Him. In these perilous times, those alone who, knowing the truths for these times, become thoroughly established in them, can reasonably expect to triumph with the present truth. Who can measure the power that would accompany this truth if in the life of every individual professing to accept and follow it, there could be seen a manifestation of the truth equal to his knowledge of it? Instead of endeavoring to practise what we preach, would it not be better were we to preach what we practise? The Master Himself said "I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work." Not alone must His disciples work, but the Saviour Himself recognized that He must work, too. O that every one of us would realize his responsibility to work the works of Him who has sent us! And we must work along Christ's lines, while the day lasts, for the time is rapidly approaching when "no man can work." If our lives were flavored with the spirit of truth, and our time were occupied with wisely-directed efforts to lead others into the light, God's Spirit would prepare the way for us, and open the hearts of honest seekers after truth, for the reception of the rays of light and the seeds of truth we could take to them. We have been entrusted with a great message, a solemn and vital truth, which the world is sadly in need of just now. This light and truth we know is due to the world, and it is our bounden duty, our solemn obligation, to carry to those who sit in darkness, who are in the very shadow of death, that message which has been entrusted to us. Shall we neglect this duty? "Freely have ye received; freely give," said Christ. Those words apply to us to-day. We have been made debtors to the world for every ray of light, every bit of truth, that we have received. And there is no way of discharging our debt, other than by faithfully giving to those around us, that which we ourselves have received. Paul said, "Wo is me, if I preach not the Gospel." Every soul who knows the stirring truths for these last days, yet fails to pass them along, will sooner or later become lukewarm and indifferent; it is certain to come. How to Become Established.
We can not become established in the present truth unless we have the experience and make the effort to give it to others. If we would avoid being shaken and tossed about by every wind of doctrine that blows we must become firmly established upon the firm foundation of truth. Surely those who have bravely taken their stand for the truth for the present11time, are not those who will turn their backs upon the duty that comes with it. Every individual who has accepted the Third Angel's Message, has a duty to perform in spreading the truth and warning the world. We must do the work Heaven left for us to do. Christ is spoken of in the Bible as being represented by a man who took a journey into a far country, and left "to every man his work." So, whether we be ministers, Bible workers, medical missionaries, or none of these, each of us has a part to perform that we alone can do. And if we are willing to do our part, the Holy Spirit will be ready to show us what we are to do. So let us all, with cheerful heart and willing mind, do what our hands find to do, and set about it without delay. Now is "the accepted time," to-day is the day to begin. We can not learn how to work for souls by waiting. Ask God earnestly for the wisdom He promises to those who seek it; walk in all the light you have; and God will bless and give force to the words you speak, publicly or in private, and send home to the hearts of your listeners the words of truth and the seeds of righteousness. God's Spirit will accompany and bless every honest, humble effort put forth to spread the truth and to save souls for the kingdom. A ship that is standing still can not be steered. But start the vessel, and the captain can steer it aright. Far better is it to be doing something, even tho it may be marred by some mistakes, than not to do anything, and be standing idle when there is much to be done in the vineyard of the Lord. If we have first a willing mind, and a humble heart, with sincere and earnest purpose, the One at the helm will guide our little bark aright, even tho we may have started in the wrong direction. Have you some truth or light that your neighbors have not yet found? That fact is in itself your commission to go and tell them about it. What it has done for you, is the best proof of its genuineness, and constitutes the credentials of Heaven that you are warranted in giving it to those who know it not. While we may not have many great or wonderful opportunities for proclaiming the truth, yet all around us, on every hand, are small openings for the dissemination of truth, and the scattering of seeds of heavenly light. Let us pray for faithfulness and wisdom that we may know how best to improve these opportunities and step into the openings that come to us; for if we are faithful, we may be sure God will attend to our being successful. The Word says, "Well done, good and faithful servant." A natural question which is likely to be asked is, How can I begin? Reader, it is difficult to answer this question, for the work of seeking souls, and doing heart to heart soul-winning, is so diversified, that no set rules can be given. But at the very outset, one thing is of vital and all-important necessity—that we have the missionary spirit. None but those who have such a spirit can ever become truly successful soul-winners. Nor is this missionary spirit to be obtained by months of theoretical study of books, or a certain period of years spent in some college. It comes as a gift from Him who was the world's greatest Missionary. Are we actuated by this spirit, the true missionary desire and longing to bring sinners to Jesus? Then our lives will be absorbed by the restless desire to see souls saved. Brother, sister, do you really want to possess this desire, if you do not at present? Ask God for it, and He will grant it to you. Ask Jesus to give you for a moment one glimpse of the misery and wo of earth's multitudes, and your heart will be so touched that nothing will content you other than that your life shall be devoted to laboring for your fellow men. How very true it is, that "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain." Could we but behold the darkness, the suffering, and the sorrow of this old world to-day, we should surely want to use all our energy of mind and heart in an effort to seek and save the lost. Is there not enough power in present truth to enable us to see our duty regarding it? Surely the privilege of taking light and truth to those who have it not but need it greatly, is one of the grandest ever given to fallen man. Angels are to help us in this work. God's Spirit is ready to direct our minds and to soften and prepare the hearts of those for whom we labor. Let us go forth, then, in the Spirit's power, to practise this truth, to teach it, to carry it to the homes of the people. Feed their hungry souls, enlighten their darkened minds. If every individual who loves this present truth, were endued with power from on high, and working earnestly to spread it, the time would be hastened when the work would be finally closed, and those who had been true to their trust would triumph gloriously with it. Missionaries are made by doing missionary work; that alone will give the essential experience which constitutes the practical soul-winner. And if we expect ever to become a missionary, we must begin some time. To-day, the Master says, to all who are not actively engaged in His vineyard: "Why stand ye here idle?" Let us answer, willingly, gladly, "Here am I; send me;" then, having consecrated all our energies to Him, labor, and watch, and pray.
W. S. SADLER.