Many are Called, but Few are Chosen.
By E. Goodwin
THESE are the words of him that "spake as never man spake;" and O, how full of exhortation, and warning, to those who are called, that they "strive to enter in at the strait gate"—that they "give all diligence to make their calling and election sure"—that they keep all the commandments of God, and all the sayings of Jesus, so that they may be likened unto a wise man who built his house upon a rock. None should come to the conclusion, that because there are but few chosen, there is no use for them to try; there is use to try. And for this cause (that there be but few saved, or chosen) you should try all the more, that peradventure you may be among the chosen ones. Certainly those that try the hardest to do the will of God, and to overcome, will be the most likely to be the chosen of God. Again, says Jesus, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind; which when it was full, they drew to the shore, and sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. Here is the same doctrine taught as in the words, "Many are called, but few are chosen." We see what kind of fish they cast away, it was the bad. But the good they gathered into vessels. Now if we would be gathered into vessels, or be chosen, we must be good; we must be faithful in all things, we must fast, the fast that God has chosen. See Isa. lviii, 6-11. We must add to our faith, virtue, and to virtue, knowledge, and to knowledge, temperance, and to temperance, patience, and to patience, godliness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, charity. For, if these things be in us and abound, we shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For says the Apostle, "if ye do these things ye shall never fail," (or, ye shall be chosen.) Again, says James, "Hearken, my beloved brethren. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him?" We are here taught who the chosen are. They are the poor, who are rich in faith. "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said, Blessed are ye poor; for yours is the kingdom of God." "But God hath chosen the foolish things (or men) of the world to confound the wise; (men of the world;) and God hath chosen the weak things (or men) of the world to confound the things (or men) which are mighty," &c. 1 Cor. i, 27. It depends altogether on the faithfulness of those that are called, whether they be numbered with the chosen or not. Those that are in the war, with the Lamb, are called, chosen, and faithful. Rev. xvii, 14. We seldom see a man become rich in this world without much faithfulness, energy and perseverance, without much watchfulness, care and anxiety; yea, without improving all his time and means to the best advantage to accomplish his purposes. It does appear to me that if we would make as great an effort for the true riches, (the gold tried in the fire, &c.,) as many (and some Sabbath-keepers) make to obtain a corruptible treasure, we should certainly be of them that are chosen. O brethren and sisters, will we not awake and arouse, and gird on the whole armor, and fight manfully and faithfully in this last mighty and glorious conflict, that we may wear the victor's crown, and receive palms in our hands. I feel like saying for one, I will. My prayer is that the writer and the reader may be chosen.
E. GOODWIN.
Oswego, N. Y., March 20th, 1858.