Afflictions | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 7, 1857

Afflictions.

WHOEVER considers the manifold calamities to which mankind are exposed in the present state, must feel some emotion of sorrow. Sin has introduced great misery and universal disorder into the world. No person, however mean and obscure, or eminent and exalted, can stand invulnerable against the arrows of adversity. It is, however, the peculiar privilege of a good man, that though, alike with others, he partakes of the sufferings of humanity, yet he sees a wise hand directing every event, and rendering all subservient to a grand and glorious end. He desires to learn the noble lessons of patience and submission, while his heart glows with gratitude to Him to whom he is indebted for every comfort he enjoys, and without whose permission he knows no evil can transpire.

Ebenezer Adams, a celebrated Quaker of Philadelphia, on visiting a lady of rank, whom he found, six months after the death of her husband, sitting on a sofa covered with black cloth, and in all the dignity of woe, approached her with great solemnity, and gently taking her by the hand, thus accosted her: "So, friend, I see that thou hast not yet forgiven God Almighty." This seasonable reproof had such an effect upon the person to whom it was addressed, that she immediately had all her trappings of grief destroyed, and went about her necessary business and avocations. "A word spoken in due season, how good is it?"

Afflictions, though not blessings in themselves, yet when sanctified are productive of great good to them who are exercised thereby. Even Demetrius, a heathen, could say, "That nothing could be more unhappy than a man who had never known affliction." And one who was not a heathen has left it on record, That it was good for him to be afflicted. Let us not therefore sink into despondency under a view of approaching difficulties, nor suffer our imaginations to dwell with horror on supposed future events. "The evils and afflictions of this life, indeed, appear like rocks and precipices, rugged and barren, at a distance; but at our nearer approach we shall find little fruitful spots, and refreshing springs, mixed with the harshness and deformities of nature."

A minister was recovering of a dangerous illness, when one of his friends addressed him thus: "Sir, though God seems to be bringing you up from the gates of death, yet it will be a long time before you will sufficiently retrieve your strength, and regain vigor enough of mind to preach as usual." The good man answered, "You are mistaken, my friend; for this six weeks' illness has taught me more divinity than all my past studies and all my ten years' ministry put together."

It is related of one, who, under great severity, had fled from the worst of masters to the best, (I mean, he had sought rest in the bosom of Jesus Christ, the common friend of the weary and the heavy laden,) that he was so impressed with a sense of the benefit he had derived from his afflictions, that lying on his death-bed and seeing his master stand by, he eagerly caught the hands of his oppressor, and kissing them, said, "These hands have brought me to heaven." Thus many have had reason to bless God for afflictions, as being the instruments in his hand of promoting the welfare of their souls!

It is said of Dr. W., that from his most early infancy to his dying day he scarcely ever knew what health was; yet we are told that he looked upon this affliction as the greatest blessing of his life. And the reason he assigned for it was, that, being naturally of a warm temper and an ambitious disposition, these visitations of divine Providence weaned his affections from the world, and brought every passion into subjection to the divine will.—Relig. Assoc.