SABBATH-KEEPERS' CHILDREN.
By James White
It is a fact that most young Sabbath-keepers are being drowned in the spirit of this world, instead of being imbued with God's holy Spirit. Their course is generally downward. In many, this backsliding is so gradual that it is hardly perceptible. But if you compare their present condition and course with their position when they first sought the Lord, then you can see a wide difference, a sad declension. The things of this life occupy most of their time and thoughts. And we inquire, What can be done to stop this tide of backsliding? What can save young Sabbath-keepers from perdition? What can wean their affections from the things of this life, and lead them to live in reference to Eternal Life in the kingdom of God? And we must here confess that our only hope for most of the children of Sabbath-keepers, is for their parents to first get this world out of their affections, consecrate themselves and their substance to the Lord, and live and use their means as though they believed the message of the Third Angel. Is it any marvel that children are worldly, when they see their parents living for this world? If parents labor to increase wealth, will not their children see it, and pattern after them? If parents bury themselves up in the cares and interests of this life, will not the children drink in the spirit of this world? If parents lead off in these things will not children follow? They will. They will. A speedy reform must take place with young Sabbath-keepers generally. We admit a very few exceptions, while we would faithfully point out their sad condition. Yes, a reform must take place. This will be admitted. But let those who engage in this reform commence at the right place. Let them begin with their worldly, and world-loving parents. That there are some consecrated parents, who set good examples before their children, yet fail to see them advance in the divine life, we admit; but we speak of them generally, and can safely say that most parents lead their children into the spirit of this world. They are so imbued with the spirit and love of this world, that they do not see the influence they have on their children. Some, shall we say, blindly stand in the gate of heaven to keep their children out. Hope for the youth among us, and our children, can be cherished only on the ground that the parents and older members of the church set them an example of sacrifice, consecration, devotion and zeal in the things of the Spirit of God. Parents lay plans for future years, and the children understand the whole story, and secretly inquire, Where is father's and mother's faith in the soon coming of Christ? The father gives his son a young colt, or a fine pair of calves; they are his, and as he pets them, he looks over long years in the future when they will be of service. These things are customs at this day which inspire in boys the spirit of this world, and cause them to love it at an early age. And many grow up selfish and covetous, loving this present world. But if parents wish to see their children consecrated to God, let them first consecrate themselves to the Lord. Do they wish to see their children placing their affections on things above, then let them cut loose from this world, and show by their acts that their interest in the kingdom of God is far greater than in the things of this world. Some parents spend their energies and time, precious time to be employed in forming characters for the kingdom of God, in laying up treasures in this world. They desire to have their children saved. They wish them to profess religion. They urge the servants of God to come and labor with them, hoping that their children will profess religion. Time and labor is bestowed on them, and, perhaps the object is gained. The children put on a profession. But the parents push on in the interests of this life, and their nominal professing children follow. What is gained? Verily nothing, only more young, worldly, hypocritical professors, destitute of the vitality of that religion they profess. Servants of God, commence your work at the right point. Convert these worldly professing parents. Get the standard raised high with them, then will the children be easily moved to come up to the same high standard. Then will something lasting be accomplished. But your labor is more than lost on these children while their parents fail to come up to a saving standard. We repeat it. Some parents stand in the very gate of heaven to keep their children out. And our only hope for the young is a thorough reform in the whole lukewarm church. O, ye Laodiceans, our mouth is open unto you. We as a people are almost powerless in consequence of the love of this world in the heart which keeps Jesus out. He still stands and knocks at the door of our hearts. He calls to us. He tarries still. Be not deaf to his calls. Steel not your heart against his entreaties. Well may it be said by this generation, that the Jews deserved wrath for rejecting Jesus. But our sin in slighting his testimony will be as much greater as we reject greater light. "I will come in" he says, "and will sup with you." This is as strong a figure as can be used to illustrate communion with Jesus. He offers to come in, but is shut out. The heart is filled with the love of this world. The door is shut against him. There is no room for Christ in many Sabbath-keepers' hearts. It is the world, the world, the world with them morning, noon and evening. When they rise up and when they sit down, when they go out and when they come in. It is the object of their affections. It is the deity to which they fall down and worship. Christ is neglected, slighted, shut out. Hark! hear his voice in tones of pity and matchless love, as he calls to those who have long neglected him. "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door I will come in." Are you so deaf that you cannot hear his lovely voice? Is your mind so blinded by the god of this world that you cannot see that you have shut Jesus out? Is your heart so unfeeling that it will not yield and melt in view of this call to you from the soon expected Saviour? If so, woeful indeed is your condition. Christ will not long stand at the door of thy heart and knock. Not much longer! His locks are wet with the dews of night. He spilled his blood for you. He wants to wash you clean. He desires to come in and live in you. He will make you free, pure and happy. He will abide with you if you will turn out and keep out of your heart the love of this world. He will manifest his love and glory, to old and young, parents and children, if they will prepare the way of the Lord in their hearts and let him in. O, dear reader, Let him in! let him in! We solemnly believe that obedience to this message is the only hope of the church. A crisis is coming. A portion of the church—and God grant that it may be the largest portion—will rend their hearts and prepare them to receive Jesus Christ; while a portion will be spued out of his mouth. The true testimony from the word of God will show who will be wholly the Lord's. It will manifest the heart. And are there any reasons why it should be withheld? There are none. A delay when an alarm should be given, may prove fatal to some. While there is hope, then, let the servants of God, in the language of the prophet, "Cry aloud and spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins." Isa. lviii, 1. Do the watchman see the sword coming upon a lukewarm church? Then let them give the alarm, and clear their own souls: And if souls still sleep on, then will their blood be upon their own heads.