AN EXHORTATION by J. B. Frisbie

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 3, 1859

AN EXHORTATION.

By J. B. Frisbie

DEAR BRETHREN SCATTERED ABROAD: I have of late been contemplating the work of the Lord as connected with the Present Truth.

Do we realize, brethren, that the message now going forth is the last message of mercy ever to be given to mortal man? and that this message will soon close forever? and that then all who are wicked will remain wicked still? and that all depends upon our faithfulness whether we are saved or lost?

cause we hear the plain literal truth on the Sabbath and other points of our faith, and we embrace it with good and honest hearts (at least many do) and in so doing we get the blessing of God in the outpouring of his Spirit. Then we are too apt to feel that we are rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing. At this point we become exalted in ourselves and lose our humble dependence on God, keeping up the form with but little of the Spirit, and making but little if any advance in either the knowledge or practice of godliness. Here in this halting position we become blind and poor, thinking it better with us than it really is. Thus left to make crooked paths for our feet, we shall be spued out, fall out by the way, unless we become zealous and repent.

Some give heed to the message and move on while others make some faint efforts and fall back in darkness, and finally are left to think that they have been deceived, their light having become darkness. This state some have already reached. They shut their eyes, and God leaves them to blindness like the Jews.

I believe that God intends to have us walk out on his promises by faith in the fulfillment of prophecy. What can establish us in the Present Truth but a full knowledge and practice of the same? And upon all who will be willingly ignorant of the truth and love not the truth, God will send or suffer to come, strong delusions that they may believe a lie and be damned. For they have pleasure in unrighteousness, and will not bear the chastening rod of the Lord, and repent.

We are called upon to worship God in spirit and in truth. To pray in the spirit, and to sing in the spirit, and to preach in the spirit. How can we do this unless we are entirely consecrated to God and sanctified by the truth? And can we be thus while any known sin remains on us? We think not. How important that the ministry be wholly devoted to the work of the Lord, holy, meek, godly, in all manner of conversation, devoting its whole strength to the advancement of the cause of God. The secret of success with those who labor to win souls to Christ consists in clothing the truth in plain simple language and preaching it with energy, accompanied with the Spirit of God to soften the hearts, and convict and convert the people. This was the cause of the success of the apostles and such reformers as Luther, Wesley and others. Will not this hold good with us as a people? Brethren one and all, let us be encouraged; for acting to the best of our abilities in the name of the Lord, we can be saved. Amen.

J. B. FRISBIE.