MORE CONSECRATION by E. B. Saunders

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 10, 1880

MORE CONSECRATION.

By E. B. Saunders

WHEN we first learned the great truths of the three messages, our feelings were much stirred, and we felt like taking hold of this work with considerable energy. But with some of us it was a hard struggle to consent to the Sabbath truth; for that required a change of habit, while other points required only a change of mind or belief.

Generally, when we had committed ourselves to these truths, we manifested much zeal to get others to investigate and understand the reasons we had for our belief. This zeal, on the part of some, it is to be feared, was not prompted so much by a sincere love for the truth, or for souls, or God, as it was by a desire to increase their party, and out-argue their opposers. Besides, new acquaintances were formed with similar views, and, by intercourse with them, we felt encouraged to believe ourselves right in the sight of God. And God, in his infinite mercy, regarding the first dawning of amendment in us, sometimes let a few mercy drops fall on us, and then we connected ourselves with the church, and participated in the sacred rites of the Christian religion.

The desire for eternal life, and to enjoy the rich reward, prompted many of us to try to overcome our evil habits, lusts, and appetites; and sometimes a victory would be gained when the appetite or habit was not firmly seated, or when, by abstinence for a season, the desire would be worn out. But, oftener than otherwise, the evil was only curbed or checked, not cured. Our own wills, unassisted by the grace of God, were not strong enough to subdue those fierce passions which ruled our hearts. They would constantly rise with such power as to overcome all our good resolutions, and then a depressed, discouraged feeling would weigh us down, while our zeal for others would die out, and the joy we should feel in communion with those whose lives were pure, would be almost entirely wanting, and rather a sense of relief from uneasiness would be felt by us when out of their presence. Also our interest to meet for worship would gradually die out, so that a mere shadow of an excuse, like bad roads, a slight rain, or cold, or snow, or perhaps a tired feeling from overwork, or anything that could serve for an excuse to quiet the conscience, would keep us from the house of God. And the meetings would not seem interesting, especially if the majority of those present had passed through about the same experience.

Such meetings always drag, and about all the confidence some get to speak or pray, is the thought that others are not aware of their failings. While in such a state of mind, our prayers are formal; but our consciences must be quieted, so the daily task of praying must be kept up. Conscience requires us to read the word of God; so, besides the daily chapter, some portion, like the the story of Joseph or Samson, Elijah or Jonah, is read occasionally, to make us think that we really love the Bible.

Our Systematic Benevolence we pay, but it does not increase proportionally to our property; in fact, it sometimes decreases. With some, the subscription for our paper remains unpaid, and everything indicates that our religion is getting shabby; yet we flatter ourselves that we are going to be saved.

At the same time, we do not feel that we have the victory, but at some future time intend to obtain it, while it ought to be evident to us that we are losing ground. We feel rich and increased with goods, and that we have need of nothing, when, if our eyes were opened, we should find ourselves poor, and blind, and naked.

Now, what can be done to help us? Nothing but the heavenly anointing can reach our cases. We need to be converted through and through. Our hearts must be cleansed from sin, and the Spirit of God must come in and dwell there, or we shall be among the lost. "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts." But the Spirit of God is not in the heart of the lukewarm, or worldly-minded, professor. The Spirit of God dwells only with the pure in heart—the victor over sin. "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."

E. B. SAUNDERS.