Salvation and Obedience
By Elizabeth Dow
DEAR BRO. WHITE: In conversation with a friend not long since, upon the importance of keeping the commandments of God, it was remarked as follows: "The seventh-day folks are calculating to be saved by the law. I look to the gospel for salvation." Now I would inquire, Can any one have a well grounded hope of salvation by the gospel, who does not yield willing obedience to the requirements of the gospel? And what are these requirements? Are they anything more or less than the "righteousness of the law fulfilled in those who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit?" Those who delight in the law of the Lord have no other gods before them, consequently, they are ever ready to make "a covenant with him by sacrifice." Let us look at a few gospel requisitions, as expressed by the Saviour and his inspired apostles. Says Jesus, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth;"—"Sell that ye have and give alms;"—"Be perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Says the chief Apostle, "Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth;"—"Be not conformed to this world;"—"Let each esteem others better than themselves;"—"Look not every man on his own things, but also on the things of others." Hear also the disciple whom Jesus loved: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world;"—"He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." Now methinks the individual who can cheerfully comply with the above, will find nothing grievous in
"The Law of Ten Commands
On holy Sinai given."
O, how delightful to contemplate those commands, as a wall of salvation beside the narrow way, "strait as a rule can make it." [Bunyan.] How safe to walk by such a rule, ever looking unto Jesus, without whom we can do nothing. "O, may my feet ne'er turn astray,
Nor rove nor seek another way."
ELIZABETH DOW.
Newport, N. H., May 25th, 1852.