p. 206 | Buy and Sell by A. J. Richmond

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 29, 1857

Buy and Sell.

By A. J. Richmond

THE counsel of the faithful and true Witness, is to buy of him gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich; and white raiment, that we may be clothed, and that the shame of our nakedness do not appear; and to anoint our eyes with eye-salve, that we may see. Rev. iii, 18. The anointing all may have who humbly ask in faith, believing; for says this same Witness, Our heavenly Father is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him, than earthly parents are to give good gifts to their children. Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God. Who hath sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 2 Cor. i, 21, 22; also 1 John ii, 20-27.

It seems evident to me that this anointing is the "Spirit of truth," the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, which was to teach us all things. John xiv, 17-26. If the teachings of this Spirit had been followed, we should not have found ourselves "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked," in a fit condition to be spued out of the mouth of the Lord. But hear him in tones of pity and compassion, pleading with his erring children still. One more opportunity is offered to be saved; but remember it is the last call to the last church. To the last state of the church this language is addressed. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne," &c.

Dear brethren and sisters, here are great and precious promises to them that overcome. But remember, there is something for us to do. These precious treasures are not to fall upon us at our wish, but are to be bought. Yes, bought! And don't be surprised if in following the counsel of this Witness, and of the Holy Spirit in buying them, you are called to part with all you have in this world.

"What saith the Scriptures?" "How readest thou?" Hear the Saviour. Matt. vi, 19-21. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." If any wish to know how to lay up treasure in heaven, read with care Matt. xix, 21, 22. How many are trying to lay it up and become perfect, some other way.

A true witness will not counsel us to buy gold without telling us how to do it, unless he has given the needed information before. He has given it. Luke xii, 32. "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. But says one, he is to give us the kingdom. What would you prove by this? Please read the next verses and see. Believe it also. "Sell that ye have and give alms: provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth; for where your treasure is there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he shall return from the wedding."

Then according to this Witness in order to have a treasure in heaven we must sell that we have (not a part of it, or give of our income) and give alms. These are the commands of him who spake as never man spoke. He says, If ye love me keep my commandments. How many are ready and anxious to obey him, and buy the gold, white raiment or salve?

Says the Third Angel, Here are they that keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. Where are they, brethren? Search diligently, how many of them you can find. Compare them with the rest of the New Testament, which embraces every lesson; all its requirements are obeyed. How many are acting as though they expected to be judged by this word in the last day? But so it is, and if we have not obeyed all its requirements according to the best of our knowledge, I see not how we can stand in the Judgment, be acquitted by a just God and hear the welcome applaudit, Well done, good and faithful servants!

You say that all is on the altar, a sacrifice to the Lord; (and we don't like to doubt your word;) that you are giving largely to advance the cause, &c.; and yet your property is increasing from year to year. There must be a mistake somewhere; for, according to the law and testimony, a thing sacrificed to the Lord always consumes. I was reading of one last evening, where the altar which was made of twelve stones, the dust, and twelve barrels of water that had been poured upon it were all consumed. What would become of our houses and lands on such an altar as this?

The true Witness says, Sell that ye have and give alms. But says one, That does not mean me. What! not mean you? are you not one of his "disciples?" of the little flock? and of those that are waiting for the Lord to return from the wedding? Luke xii, 22-37. If you are, it means you. If you are not, don't be a hypocrite any longer. You keep the Sabbath, profess to believe the present truth, and the world point to you as one who professes to be looking for the Lord. Do your works agree with your faith? Remember that a dead faith will do us no good, amid the awful scenes that are soon to burst upon the world.

Is there not here something to repent of? And is it not time to be zealous about it? O brethren, wake up, and look about yourselves before it is forever too late. Obey the Saviour. Sell that ye have, and buy the gold tried in the fire. Hear and obey the voice of the true Witness. You will get an hundred fold in this life, and in the world to come life everlasting. Turn ye, turn ye; for why will ye die, O house of Israel. Return unto me and I will return unto you and heal all your backslidings, saith the Lord. Is it not enough? What more can be said? What more can be done? We have had the warning. It has been faithfully given. Our wretched condition has been pointed out. Who but ourselves will be to blame if we are not saved?

We have seen that our affections were placed on this world, (unless peradventure the god of this world has blinded our minds so that we cannot see) shall we let them remain there, and slumber on till destruction overtakes us? or shall we embrace the last opportunity of obtaining eternal life and a seat on the throne of Jesus?

We believe that we are living in the time of the Judgment; that all that is done for the world and ourselves must be done quickly; and yet many of us are being lulled to sleep on enchanted ground, yet unwilling to hear the voice of the blessed Saviour; to tear the world from our embrace, open our hearts and let him in, that he may sup with us and be with him. Do not think there will be time enough by and by. Now is the accepted time, now, the day of salvation. Be zealous therefore and repent. Bring forth fruits answerable to a life of faith. And may our lives be such that shall condemn the world, be approved of heaven, and have administered unto us an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

A. J. RICHMOND.