The Law our Guide

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 22, 1857

The Law our Guide.

The pilgrim who has no point before him which he is striving to reach, no guide as to how or where he should go, is governed by the vigor or weariness of his limbs, by the pleasantness or difficulties of the road, by the sunshine or showers of the day. So it is with the pilgrimage of life, without a law from without. But where this law shines before us as the supreme will of the Judge of the living and the dead, then no delay and hesitation avail, no fear and no favor, no life and no death, nothing is considered but the stern unyielding word that permits no distorting, no interpreting away, no pretext or excuse, recognizes no sedition or temptation, but demands obedience—obedience alone.

Without such a word of discipline and power, that is raised above our wisdom and above our censure, we shall never overcome sin, never walk in righteousness and holiness. Therefore should the conscience be only an examiner and weigher of this word; and if a thousand voices cry out against it, if the whole world utter forth its anathemas, if the affections of thy heart entreat against it, or if the last throb of thy earthly happiness be at stake, the last hope of thy temporal being—let them perish; thou hast but one law—the law of the Lord; and be thou steadfast therein unto the end. The kingdom of God shall remain to thee.