REFLECTIONS by R. F. C.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 29, 1856

REFLECTIONS.

By R. F. C.

It is bad enough to trample on the authority of the great God, by breaking his Commandments, without offering additional insult, by inventing some pious reason to justify such a course. But men will have some way to excuse themselves, even though it add insult to their offense. And they must have a pious reason, too. This is what must make their sin displeasing, in the highest degree, to him whose authority they have slighted.

If men who break the Sabbath of the Lord would offer no apology, only that they choose to do so, it would be much less offensive in the sight of God, than for them to pretend that they are serving God better than they could by keeping his commandments. It is claimed by some that they keep the first day of the week for the sake of honoring the Son of God, and they seem to think that this pious excuse will certainly clear them at the judgment bar. But if there is anything that would render their crime aggravated and heinous in the highest degree, it seems to me it is this. To pretend to honor the Son while we despise the law of the Father is impious. We should honor the Son as we honor the Father, but we cannot honor him by neglecting and despising his Father. Oh! what an amount of guilt professors of the religion of Christ are heaping up against the day of wrath!

I have thought, while contemplating on this subject, that if it were possible for me to weep tears of blood, and in so doing I could open the eyes of Sabbath-breakers to see their real situation, most willingly would I weep day and night, for those who will soon, if not converted, be condemned to the great slaughter. Those who, if not soon aroused from their dreams of heaven, must sink beneath the seven last plagues.

And then the leaders of the people! who like blind guides are taking the road to death! How will they answer for the blood of the souls who lean upon them! and what will be the consternation of these, when they awake to the awful certainty that they have leaned upon a broken reed! What a howling there will be among the shepherds a little while from this. My prayer is, O God, save the poor sheep!

What can be done for the poor people? while their leaders all conspire to close their ears against the truth—shutting up the kingdom of heaven against men; neither going in themselves, nor suffering those who are entering to go in.

O Father, the work is thine. Speed it on, speed it on! Guide thy servants to those who have ears to hear, and hearts to obey this last message of mercy. Inspire the lone pilgrims with faith and courage, to go forth weeping, bearing precious seed; and doubtless they will return with joy, bringing their sheaves with them.

O, that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that will soon be realized by the faithful! When the conflict is ended, and the victory achieved, what joy will fill the bosom of those who are now despised for the sake of the truth. What a thrill of transport, when they shall hear from the lips that never uttered a falsehood, Well done good and faithful servant! Give me a part with the overcomers and I ask no more. R. F. C.