THE PURIFYING TRIALS by J. O. C.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 28, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 29.

THE PURIFYING TRIALS

By J. O. C.

An old Chinese proverb runs something like this: As a gem can not be polished without friction, so neither can a man be perfected without trials. From a much wiser source one may learn the reason why trials are so necessary to human elevation. The largest contract ever assumed on man's behalf is his elevation from the earth-born, low estate, to that of a Christian character.

So large, indeed, is such a venture, that even Jehovah does not undertake it altogether by Himself. That is to say, He demands the full cooperation of the one who is to receive the benefit of the experience, and then success is assured only when passive submission is rendered, first to the process of having removed all sinful obstructions to the better life.

This is wherein the trial of one's faith in the operation becomes useful, because from its persevering attitude under these painful removals to make way for that which is infinitely better, necessary patience is gradually gendered. Since it is in patience alone that one possesses, preserves, or keeps his soul, and since patience develops only through trials, these greatly assist in the perfecting process for the uplift of humanity. J. O. C.