In Line of Promotion by H. A. St. John

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 17, 1909

In Line of Promotion.

By H. A. St. John

IN the service of the army, railroads, and indeed in very many avocations in this life, there is a line of promotion. Faithfulness and efficiency in the discharge of present duty place the individual in this line, and sooner or later, if life and strength hold out long enough, he is promoted.

But remember, if life fails, the promotion fails. And if life holds out till the promotion is received, however remunerative, exalted, or honorable it may be, sooner or later death comes to the receiver; then all is lost and forever lost to him. All promotions that pertain exclusively to this life, are unsatisfying and of short duration.

Not so with the promotion the Lord holds out to all who will enter His service. All who enter the service of the Lord, whether young or old, learned or unlearned, rich or poor, strong or weak, sick or well, are in the same line of promotion. And if the service is continued with all the soul, till the end of life, the promotion is sure; it can not fail. He whom they serve has power over death, He has the keys to the prison-house, the grave, and when the appointed time for promotion comes, He will loose His prisoners from the bonds of death, which will be the first step in their promotion. Then their bodies will be changed in a moment, and fashioned like unto the glorious body of their Lord. They will each receive eternal life, eternal health, eternal wealth, eternal beauty, and eternal glory. 1 Peter 5:4. Then holy angels will take them into the immediate presence of Him whom they have served, and He will behold the travail of His soul, and will be satisfied. Then Jesus will take them to the place He has prepared for them in the Paradise of God. There they will have an eternal home in those heavenly mansions, in that holy city, which is incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away. There they will be exalted and promoted to sit with Jesus on His throne; and no higher promotion is conceivable.

Ofttimes the servants of God are promoted in this world for a time. When it occurs it means greater opportunities, and a wider field of usefulness, because of greater efficiency and greater needs in the Lord's work.

Joseph was promoted from slavery and prison to the throne of Egypt, and thus he was in a situation to be an inestimable blessing to his father's house and all Israel. The three Hebrew children emerged from a fiery furnace, heated seven times hotter than need be, without a hair being singed or the smell of fire upon their garments, and were immediately promoted to positions of usefulness and trust in the province of Babylon. Daniel came out of the lions' den uninjured and was promoted to a long course of prosperity under Darius, and Cyrus, kings of Persia.

Experiences of this character, in greater or less measure, come to all the servants of the living God in this life. Indeed, the very first step in the service of God is a most wonderful promotion. All such persons become at once members of the

heavenly household, sons and daughters of the Almighty. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!" Even now we are the children of God.

Reader, have you entered this line of promotion? If not, why not? Under the broad heavens can a valid reason be found for neglecting such a great salvation, such great happiness, joy, peace, and promotion, both here and hereafter? The last call to the worship and service of God is being heard in the land. Soon, very soon, it will be forever too late to enter the service of God. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.

"Then come to Jesus, come to-day, The Father, Son, and Spirit say, The Bride repeats the call. His blood will cleanse your foulest stains, His love will soothe your weary pains, For Christ is all in all."