p. 175 | Selfishness by S. Elmer

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 15, 1858

Selfishness.

By S. Elmer

THIS is the first and last of all evils; the mainspring of all wickedness. Ever since the creation, down to the present time its path has been paved with the blood of millions of its victims. That it should exist among all classes and ranks of men, and more especially in these days of peril is no more than we should expect; but that it should be found among the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus is indeed to be lamented. Selfishness appears in many ways, but there is an evil I would speak of, which to some may appear hardly worth mentioning, but to me it is no small thing, which is the use of tobacco. First, I would ask, Have we any right to indulge in a habit that we know grieves our brethren? If we persist in such a course, is it not plain that such indulgence is dearer to us than the wounded cause of our Master? for seeing it wounds the feelings of the brethren, is it not sinning against Christ? Says the Apostle, "If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth." Paul was ready to die for the Lord Jesus, but when his brethren mourned and wept as he was about to leave them, this stirred the deep fountains of his heart. We are commanded to follow after the things that make for peace, and things wherewith we may edify another.

Again, we are to be of one heart and of one mind; speaking the same things; growing up into Christ our living head in all things. Suppose a vine dresser should place in his garden a beautiful tree, but as it grew, one or more of its branches should bend altogether different from the rest, and grow right opposite from the body, would he not be apt to cut off the contrary branch, that others might be grafted in? If we would bear fruit we must abide in the vine, partaking of its sap and nourishment, that we may grow thereby.

Says one, I have been in the habit of using tobacco so long it seems hard to leave it off. I would say for the encouragement of such, I had been partaking of the contents of the treacherous box for twenty years, I made this excuse, that I had such a complaint; but the leaving off the habit proved the best remedy. We can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth us. We read, "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." We must not live for self, but this should be our earnest cry, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" Some promise to abandon its use, yet year after year are using a little; they must break off by degrees; but is not this like adding dry fuel to the fire that it may go out? Let us not look back to lust after the leeks and onions of Egypt. Likewise may we remember the case of Achan. This is a uniting message. Let us with the utmost care remove every stumbling block out of the way, that Israel may go free. The Lord is purifying unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Then let us put away all useless habits; and may the Lord help us to do all to his honor and glory, that we may be approved when he comes.

S. ELMER. Ashfield, Mass.