Begin Now by I. N. Pike

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 23, 1857

Begin Now.

By I. N. Pike

SPOKEN FROM EXPERIENCE.

BRO. SMITH:—I would say a word through the Review to those who are almost persuaded to obey God, and come out and keep all his commandments. Make a trial. There must always be a beginning to every enterprise. An individual who has conceived a project—who has had it repeatedly before his mind—who has resolved it over and over again in his thoughts, and been nearly induced at different times to set about it, is in point of fact no nearer its accomplishment than before, nor will he be until he actually enters upon its execution.

Men may dwell never so long, and earnestly, upon a given enterprise, but the enterprise will never be effected nor its advantageous results secured until it is begun. No matter how desirable it may be, you have got to take a decisive step, make an actual start, or the object can never be attained.

Do not delay as I have done, in matters that interest the eternal welfare of the soul. I was brought to see the necessity of a change of heart when a youth, but got into a backslidden state, and remained there some five and thirty years; not without some strivings of the Spirit at different times, and often would I resolve anew to start and serve God, yet remained where I was until I was led to see and put in practice the keeping of God's Sabbath, since which time a flood of light has flown in upon my soul that I never before saw, for which I feel to praise and bless God. Yet I have lived in carelessness and indolence until the best of my days are past, until old age and disease are preying upon me, and I find my mental faculties impaired, and feel deeply to regret that the days of my youth were not spent in the service of God. I. N. PIKE. Jamaica, Vt.