p. 200 | Up for Office by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 11, 1858

Up for Office.

By Editor

Probably no one can have failed to notice, during the recent fall elections, the zeal manifested by the political candidates of all parties, and the sacrifices they were willing to make to accomplish their aims. What was the secret of all this zeal and activity? Simply this: They were up for office. If they gained their end, they were to be elevated to a position a little higher than their fellow-citizens around them, to have a little honor bestowed upon them, and to receive a little aggrandizement as the reward of their services.

There are but few transactions of real life from which we may not draw some lesson. And from these scenes, we may derive instruction. We, too, brethren, are up for office. Not, indeed, such an office as men can bestow; not an office the advantage of which is doubtful, and the honor temporary and uncertain; but one the glory of which shall never pass away. What is it? It is to be made kings and priests unto God, to reign with Christ a thousand years on glorious judgment thrones, and ever after that upon the earth made new. Such is the prize within our reach, if we make haste to secure it.

Who then should make the greatest effort and manifest the greatest zeal? Those who are striving for the least, or those who are laboring for the noblest prize? Which should call forth most energy? An insignificant or an eternal reward? But, brethren, which does most excite it? and who are the most zealous? Ah! these are the questions. Must we, candidates for eternal life and the immortal honor of the sons of God, confess ourselves outdone by political partizans, in efforts to secure the prize, who aim only at a little earthly glory? It ought not so to be. Where is the zeal, the activity, the energy, corresponding with the prize for which we are seeking, and the importance of the time in which we are living? Swiftly the day of decision approacheth. Soon the sentence will be declared, and he that is holy will be forever so, and he that is filthy can never free himself therefrom. Let us not suffer, brethren and sisters, the children of this world to be wiser in their generations, or more consistent, than the children of light. Let us be zealous to make our calling and election sure.