A Dark Picture | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 5, 1857

A Dark Picture.

"Where are the nine?" Ten lepers were cleansed of their loathsome disease, and one only returned to give praise to God. This seemed to grieve the Saviour, and with manifest feeling he inquired for the nine. So he may still inquire after those who have found peace in him, or have received at his hand some special favor. How few of them return to praise God!

Of all the brotherhood, not more than one out of nine are zealous to honor Christ and his gospel. The nine accept the blessing, are very glad that they have a hope, but do but little to commend Jesus to the world, or to make his church an honor to his name. There may be more than ten in a hundred who love the cause more than themselves, but the number is far too small. It is a shame that so many who bear the name of Christ give a false testimony of his merits and the power of religion. They have been blessed in a thousand ways by Christianity, temporally and spiritually, physically, socially, intellectually and morally; but they do very little in return for these favors. They act as if it was their policy to take and not to give, receive but not impart.

Though indebted so much to Christianity, it is certain that if Christ had no more ardent friends than they are, the church, and the very name of Christianity would perish from the earth. They are lukewarm. Every idea of religion which is gathered from their lives is false, and serves to depreciate its importance, and encourage men to neglect it. They make it second to temporal interests, and neglect it altogether when not perfectly convenient to do the duties required. They make no sacrifices, bestow their funds grudgingly, and feel little personal responsibility for the progress, reputation, or stability of the cause which has conferred upon them unspeakable blessings.

They are exacting of the church and pastor, ready to find fault, but slow to encourage and assist; desire to be nursed, petted, and left to do no hard service, fight no battles, make no sacrifices. What will be the doom of these fruitless professors! How can they stand in the day that tries men's souls? They are withered branches, paralyzed members of the body, without spiritual life. If they are not revived, if Christ does not become to them life and love, they will be cast out like salt without savor, which is good for nothing but to be trodden under foot. When Christ shall ask, "Where are the nine?" Where are those who have sought and obtained forgiveness at my hand? Where are their labors of love? Where those promises of faithfulness and effort to honor their Lord and save souls? What can they answer? Many of these will meet the doom of the slothful servant, who hid his lord's money in the earth.

What shall be done for the "nine?" Is there no way by which they can be reclaimed? Must they live at this poor dying rate? Must they disgrace religion, and weaken the power of the gospel in the world? Christ is grieved by their ingratitude. He calls after them with painful solicitude, "Where are the nine?" Will they not return and give praise to God? Why will they do this wicked thing, and risk their eternal all?—Morning Star.