A Pillar in the Temple by Wayside

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Nov 6, 1879

A Pillar in the Temple.

By Wayside

AMONG the rich and varied words of promise in the book of Revelation to "him that overcometh," I have been struck with one expression to the beloved church at Philadelphia: "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God."

We may have been accustomed to think of this as a promise of Heaven, and rightly too, yet may it not have an application to the kingdom on earth, which is "the image of the heavenly"? If so, what is the import of this promise? A pillar is often a thing of beauty, with symmetrical base, fluted shaft, and carved capital, harmoniously combined to please the eye and gratify the taste. But this artistic finish is an addition: it is not essential to the original design. A pillar may be rough and uncomely, and yet fulfill its object; but it must be strong to sustain the weight of the building that rests upon it.

Have you ever listened to a soldier’s story of his experience in the war? What is the memory that kindles his enthusiasm and rouses his tongue to eloquence? Is it the long months when he lay, full fed and with nothing to do, merely treading the round of formal duties within the shelter of a fortified camp?

No, his mind goes back to the laborious march and the fearful battle, the days of toil and danger, the nights of weariness and watching, perhaps of hunger and thirst, followed at length by the hard-won triumph for his country and his flag.

An army chaplain once remarked that he could see a plain difference in the spirits of men in hospital who were disabled by wounds, and those who were brought there by sickness. The former were apt to be cheerful and hopeful, encouraging each other with the idea that they would yet have another chance at the enemy, and help to finish up the work they had come out to do. The latter very often wore a gloomy and despairing look, as of men who feel that they have failed in the work they have undertaken.

May not a parallel to this be found in the spiritual warfare? The man who is earnest and zealous in pushing the battle against the powers of evil will indeed be likely to receive wounds, deep and painful, and sometimes from those to whom he had looked for help and sympathy; but hard as these may be to bear, are they not preferable to the dry-rot that eats away the soul of the spiritual sluggard?

Few churches, perhaps, are without representatives of both these classes. Brother A is always expected to be in his place at the social meeting, in the Sabbath school, at the business meeting, and in all work of the church. Sister B, too, may always be depended upon, and nobody expects her to shirk any duty that may be required of her. Brother C, on the other hand, contents himself with attending the preaching services and making a scanty contribution of his money. Sister D is unmistakably in earnest on the subject of feathers and flounces, but it is difficult to discover the labor and energy she gives to the interests of the church. There may be pressing need for new and more earnest efforts for Christ, but long experience has taught all parties that nothing is to be expected of these honorary members. Unless new forces can be enlisted, the new burdens must be laid on the same shoulders which are already bearing the old.

These things ought not so to be; yet the loss and damage are not so great to the worker as to the drone. Not only is it true that the Master will come and reckon with his servants; it is true also that even now the active Christian finds his labors sweetened by an enjoyment to which the slothful servant is a stranger. So true is this that it is a severe test of Christian character to be laid aside from active duty, even by the unavoidable infirmities of sickness or age. Many a man has found the need, under such circumstances, of greater grace than was required in all the toils of his active life. And if this is true when his inactivity is his misfortune and not his fault, how much greater is the difference when he voluntarily leaves to his fellow the whole burden which he ought to share!

Brother, upon whom the burdens of the church rest heavily, do not repine at God’s appointments, but rejoice that you are counted worthy to be one of the supports of his church below. Bear cheerfully the burden and heat of the day, and God will bring you, in his good time, to his glorious temple in the skies, where you shall abide in the house of the Lord forever. And you, my brother, to whom also God has said, "Go work to day in my vineyard," will you always linger at the gate, engaging heartily in no work for the Master? Where, then, will your reward when the laborers shall return with rejoicing to receive their Lord’s "Well done"?

Come, claim your privilege, and take cheerfully your share of labors and responsibilities, counting it not a grievous burden, but one of the Lord’s rich blessings, that you may be one of the pillars of his earthly temple. — Wayside.