Communication from Bro. Warren.
By S. B. Warren
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Though I feel myself the most unworthy of any that profess the advent faith, yet notwithstanding this, a few thoughts have been pressing with some weight upon my mind, which I would communicate through the Review for the consideration of every brother and sister who believe in the speedy coming of our Saviour. I feel that degree of interest in the cause of Christ that I never felt before. As I look around upon mankind and behold the ten thousand schemes Satan has plotted to deceive them, I am led to ask, Who, among the vast number who profess faith in Christ, will finally shine among the blest in heaven? Though we are not sure of heaven till we get there, yet God has said in his blessed Word, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal: ‘the Lord knoweth them that are his.’” At this present day it seems that not only the worldling, but the professed christian, is fully resolved on having riches. Their out-stretched arms and eager grasp is after the world. They have forgotten what God has said: “If ye love the world the love of the Father is not in you;” and that, “Whosoever hath this world’s goods and seeth his brother hath need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” But the time has now come when the honest, true Christian will have an ear to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. The time has positively come when our love is to be brought to a test. “For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments.” But while I would here admonish brethren and sisters who believe in the present truth, of a few things, I will also take the admonition to myself. Let us not think for a moment that simply because we are Sabbath-keepers, we shall have a right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the City. “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” Our enemies are numerous, and they are multiplying on every hand in proportion to our zeal and love for the cause of Christ. “If ye will live godly in Christ Jesus, ye shall suffer persecution.” That brother or sister who has no trials, no persecutions, but glides easily and smoothly through the world, has but little reason, if any, to believe that they are true christians. God requires no more of us than we through grace are able to perform. But he does positively require that we keep every one of his commandments, even though by an obedience to them we are brought in contact with the laws of sinful, erring man. The law which wicked men have made, says, Keep the first day of the week for the Sabbath; but God’s law says, The seventh is the Sabbath. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than man.” St. Paul no doubt taught many things which appeared strange to the unbelieving Jew and Gentile nation, and which no doubt was the occasion of their severe persecution. But where shall we look to find the sincere, ardent love of the meek and lovely followers of Jesus, which we read of in the apostolic age? Among what band of brethren, in what church or society, shall we now look for an exhibition of that pure love? Most assuredly we find it not in the fallen, corrupt churches of Babylon. I ask, Shall we find it among the Advent brethren, or those who keep the Sabbath? Ah, I fear there is too little of that love, even among those who are trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Is it true, brethren and sisters, that we love one another as God requires us? “For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” Christ says in John xv, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.” If ye have that genuine love towards each other, of which the Scriptures so frequently speak, we shall seek each other’s present and future, temporal, spiritual and eternal good. Is it not a fact too true to be doubted, that Satan is now, at this time, rallying his forces against God’s remnant, who are trying to stand up boldly in defense of Bible truth? Satan is exerting all his power to set down, if possible, his dividing foot and cause division in the ranks of God’s dear children. He is now calling to his aid those who, we are sorry to say, have learned to use the tongue of slander. But we rejoice and our hearts are made glad, while we read, “Who shall harm you if ye be followers of that which is good;” and, “They that are for us, are more than they that are against us.” Brethren, our trust is in the strong arm of the mighty God of Israel. We are called upon to go more frequently than ever, into our closets, and there before our God, pour out our souls in ardent prayer for each other, for our enemies and for the cause of truth. We must not only pray much, but we must watch with all diligence, lest our enemies come in upon us secretly. God has sent forth his messengers of truth to proclaim the last notes of warning to all who have ears to hear and a heart to understand. The enemy of all good has also gone forth to sow, if possible, the seeds of discord and strife among those who are looking for and loving the appearing of our Saviour. He that truly loves his brother and loves his Bible, and loves his God and loves to pray, will take no part in the spread of a report unfavorable to the cause of Christ, or which, in its tendency, would perhaps wound the feelings of a child of God. Prov. xviii, 19, says, “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city;” and in chap. xxvii, “Open rebuke is better than secret love.” When reports come to our ears, what such a brother or sister has said or done, we are to give no credit to them, until we have good evidence to believe, and are truly convinced that there is an act of trespass; then we have an infallible rule laid down by Christ himself, in Matt. xviii: “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother; but if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established; and if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.” O that God would lead us into all truth, and help us to act upon pure, gospel principles, is the sincere, fervent prayer of one who is trying to be in readiness for the coming of the Blessed Saviour.