COMMUNICATIONS by F. M. Bragg

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 25, 1856

COMMUNICATIONS.

By F. M. Bragg

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."

From Sister Bragg.

TRULY we are living in a solemn time; a time of the deepest interest to all; and yet, how few realize it as such. While the Third Angel is giving the most solemn warning and awful threatening, how few are interested and are preparing for the scenes before us!

It is sad indeed to see those who have believed and felt the spirit of this message, turn from it unto fables, and earthly treasures. While we are forced to part with them, we ask ourselves, Shall we also go away?

O that those who are half-hearted realized the perils of their position, while halting between two opinions! There is a spirit in our midst that is reaching for our very heart-strings. If it gains entrance into a heart it saps out the spiritual life by its train of evil thoughts and feelings. It is not content with throwing censure upon a fellow brother, but it makes light darkness and darkness light.

We are not safe in lingering upon the Enemy's ground. But if we walk in the light it will grow brighter and brighter, and we shall grow stronger and stronger. God will not accept half; he wants the whole heart, soul, mind and strength. "If God be God, serve him." He is by every means possible leading us to prepare to shun the wrath threatened by the Third Angel. Shall we be excusable if we heed not this warning voice? Can we, when the last notes of mercy have ceased, charge God with our neglect? Ah! no. Then when it is too late, if not before, we shall realize that the Third Angel's Message was one of mercy. It gives warning of danger in time for us to prepare to shun it, and rest safely in the haven of eternal glory. But after this, mercy, sweet mercy, has for ever fled!

Now all heaven is interested for our salvation. Shall we not accept in mercy's last hour? If we viewed these things in their true light, we should have feeling for ourselves, and those who are perishing around us. But if we cannot be moved by the plain truth, nothing can move us.

Some have the standard far too low. They think while they are in sympathy with the world, following its customs, fashions and pleasures, to a degree they are doing very well. But our Saviour says, "If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

Self is our most ready foe. But if we die daily to self and the world, then we can live unto God. We need a full consecration of soul, body and spirit, that we may live to the glory of God.

While we profess to the world to be keeping all the Commandments of God, and are thus saying that we do better than they, are we as strict in the observance of God's holy Sabbath as he requires? God says, "It shall be a holy convocation." Such a convocation is not in the assemblies of the world. Can we be doing the will of our heavenly Father when associated with the world on the holy Sabbath?

The blessed promise is, "If thou call the Sabbath a delight, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob, thy Father, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."

The theory of the present truth received into the heart, accompanied by the Spirit's power, will give us a feeling sense of the time in which we live. It will cut us loose from the world, that we may be God's peculiar people, not "reckoned among the nation." This truth God has reserved for his people in these last days, in the Third Angel's Message. Let us receive it as the Lord has been pleased to give it to us, and not be finding fault with the mercy of God; for his Spirit will not always strive.

Do not listen to any Syren song of peace and safety, and reject the cutting, saving truth. It is far easier to pass down with the current than to row up stream. But let us be reminded that it is by the way of the cross that the crown lies. The willing and obedient shall eat of the good of the land.

While I have been of late hearing views opposed to the present saving truth, my love for the truth, I can truly say, has increased.

I have reviewed my past, imperfect life since I named the name of Christ, and I have felt as never before, that God required me to be more like Jesus, and less like the world.

I have longed, and still long, for a perfect conformity to all the will of my heavenly Father. I want to be free from pride and every secret fault, that I may stand at last.

Yours striving to overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. F. M. BRAGG. Lake Mills, Wis., Sept 1st, 1856.