p. 124 | WHAT WE MAY BE

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 2, 1858

WHAT WE MAY BE.

It is not with any design to contradict the declaration of the Apostle, "It doth not yet appear what we shall be," that we attempt to offer a few thoughts on the above heading; but rather to point out in this world of faded hopes and disappointed ambition, the position to which all may attain—a position which should be the object of our highest ambition, and our most strenuous efforts, and to attain which is the greatest blessing which the present state offers to our enjoyment;—a position before which the distinctions of worldly station and honor, sink into one common and insignificant level.

How many there are whose hearts are absorbed with the idea of being great; who design to obtain a great name, to amass wealth, to become the recipients of honors, the sons of fame; yet how often is their ambition disappointed, their schemes subverted, the path of honor which they had marked before them, barred to their steps, and their brightest hopes obscured in gloom.

But there is a way which is always open. To this we would invite the attention of all, since to all it is accessible. 'Twill lead all through the same green pastures and by the same still waters; 'twill conduct all to the same lofty and noble eminence. This way is the way of piety: the position it proposes to its followers, the throne and scepter of the christian.

We may be christians. We may not all have riches; they may elude our grasp; and even if for a while we seem to have secured them, they may suddenly take to themselves wings; but we may be christians. We may not all be learned. Insuperable obstacles in the way of health, means or opportunity, may hedge up our way; but we may be christians. We may not all be great. Those eminences which the world call lofty and noble, we may not attain; but yet we may be christians. The exercise of faith, the reception of God's blessing, the performance of religion, the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, by which we gain an entrance through the gates into the city, do not lean upon the external supports of hard earned riches, or the toilsome acquirements of study and education. "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

But what if I am a christian? Then you are as far in advance of worldlings, as heaven is higher than earth. You are more honorable than they inasmuch as the honor of God is greater than the honor of men. You are richer than they, inasmuch as the riches of heaven are more valuable than the wealth of earth; for to all the wealth and glory of heaven, the christian is the happy and certain heir.

The ancient Roman gloried in the fact that he was a Roman citizen. The majesty and glory of the Roman name, he considered as belonging in a measure to himself: it was his safeguard and protection. At the present day the subjects of a powerful kingdom, glory in their citizenship; and how are the particular friends of the king, honored and reverenced by their fellow-men. But what is all this in comparison with the christian's boast? He is joint heir with Christ; he is the friend of the King of glory: and so much higher honor is this than to be the favorite of a worldly monarch, as Christ is greater than mortal man; as the glory and grandeur of the kingdom of heaven, exceeds the fading, fluctuating dominions of an earthly potentate.

The world realizes this not; for the world looks at the things which are seen and to them only. But let not us brethren, forget the things which are not seen, let us not forget that we walk by faith; and let us not forget the faith by which we walk. To be a child of God, a soldier of the King of glory, an heir according to the promise—this is an object worthy our ambition and our toil. Be this the motto, therefore, of every heart, whatever else I have thought or wished to be, over all, above all, regardless of all, I will be at peace with heaven—I will be christian.