SOLID GOLD by Theodore Cuyler

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 21, 1880

SOLID GOLD.

By Theodore Cuyler

BY REV. THEODORE CUYLER.

THERE never was a time when character went for more or was in greater demand than now. The question "Is he smart?" is beginning to give place to the more pertinent question, "Is he honest?" Even the ministry do not escape this crucible, for it is felt to be of increasing moment that the man who presents Christ on the Sabbath should also represent Christ during the week by a pure walk and godly conversation. The crying need of the hour is not more brains, but more conscience; the richest revival would be that which should give society more genuinely good men and good women. A great security was given to trade by the resumption of specie payments. The meaning of resumption is, that paper promises have become equally valuable with solid gold. The highest and healthiest state of the church is that in which all the solemn promises made by professors of religion are redeemed in the solid gold of godly conduct. Christ never intended anything less than this when he said, "By their fruits ye shall know them; do men gather figs from thistles?" He knew that his religion must stand or fall by this test. If a Christian faith does not make its possessor a better husband, father or citizen; if it does not make womanhood more pure, unselfish and loving; if it does not sweeten home and purify trade, and cheer life's dark hours with a light from Heaven, and bring a higher and holier style of living into this wicked world,—then it is a confessed imposture. And if a heart-faith in Jesus Christ does not produce these rare and precious fruits, then all the skeptics of the day, from Renan clear down to the ribald Ingersoll, cannot even jar its divine origin and authority.

We ministers must not be seduced into the mistake of underrating good works. They do not save us; but neither can we be saved without them. And after we have preached "by faith are ye saved," let us not fail to follow it up with the other inspired declaration, "faith without works is dead." Of what value is the cherry tree in my yard, if its promissory notes in the shape of white blossoms are not redeemed by juicy cherries sixty days hence? The Bible never ignores or underrates good works. It proclaims that the tree is known by its fruits. It solemnly enjoins—"be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only." At the last day, men are to be judged according to their works. A Christian's spiritual life does not indeed spring from his noble or beautiful acts, but these acts all spring from his spiritual life. If Christ be within him, Christ will come out of him in speech seasoned with salt, and in actions that speak louder than words. The highest glory of the true Christian is character, for that is the visible reflection before men, of the indwelling Jesus.

Oh, for more men and women of incorruptible gold in our churches! Let us stop worshiping genius, and exalt goodness! God exalts it, for it is a reflection of himself. The crown of true goodness is open to the humblest. The poorest boy that reads this paper, in a cabin, may aspire after it. That also is the best preaching which produces the best practice.—Christian Intelligencer.