Our Obligations in the Last Days
By Charles W. Sperry
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—The time in which we live, and the truths we profess, bring with them immense obligations. Believing we are having the last truth mixed with mercy that fallen man will ever hear, how important that we do not hide it under a bushel, or hold it in unrighteousness, but let it so shine that others may see our good works—shunning the very appearance of evil. And how solemn the thought of the "hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth." When I see and hear the various subjects brought up before the mass of mankind to divert the attention, and steal the affections, truly I see that Satan tries many substitutes for the pure truth; and I hear men who once were professors of religion, now turn, and call the Bible a "pack of nonsense," and turn their ears unto fables. It is certain, Satan has a strong hold in these last days. And while our former Advent brethren believe we have turned unto cunningly devised fables, then it follows that they preached fables in 1843-4; for we believe now, what they preached then, and follow on the same track; for the third angel followed them. O how clear! But while our minds have been stirred up to these thrilling truths, "therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip; (margin, or leak out as leaky vessels;) for if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Many times we find ourselves making strong resolutions to live out the truth, and by not taking earnest heed, before we are aware, we find ourselves down; the power of the truth has leaked out, and we are left with the form only. We are witnessing a high profession, and if we lose our grasp we fall a great distance. And how important that we keep the mind girded up with the truth, and our lights burning, and we live where the Word will have great weight upon our minds when we read it or hear it spoken. While God has in his mercy shown us such light and truth—and the means by which we may have life, yes, eternal life, and escape the seven last plagues, in which is filled up the wrath of an offended God. It will truly be a great salvation if we attain it—salvation from sorrow, salvation from sin, salvation from death. I do want this salvation. May the Lord help us to take earnest heed to the truth a little while longer, and a glorious victory will turn on Zion's side. We enjoyed a refreshing season with Bro. Buck at New Haven last Sabbath, in showing forth the Lord's death. May the Lord give us grace to endure in the hour of temptation, and thereby receive a crown of life which shall never fade away, is the prayer of your unworthy brother.
C. W. SPERRY.
Panton, Vt., Jan. 29th, 1854.