Means and Ends | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 24, 1859

Means and Ends.

A great part of practical wisdom consists in properly regarding the distinction between means and ends. Ploughing ground and sowing seed are not ends. Of themselves they will do no good. If they are not followed by a harvest, they are useless. Some men live to eat, instead of eating to live. Their end is the gratification of appetite, not the acquisition of strength.

The same tenor of remark applies to spiritual things. Some peruse the Bible, and are satisfied with the exercise of reading without any profit. They seek not spiritual wisdom. They rest in what they have done.

Others pray, but do not look for the answer. The prayer was the task they set themselves. That done, they are content. They send in the petition. They concern not themselves with the granting of what it asks.

Others attend to the matter of self-examination because it seems to be a duty, but that is all. Their plan is, not to find out what manner of spirit they are of, or whether they are true Christians, but to do that which is so urged on their consciences. This is their sole end.

So also many are satisfied with the ordinances of God, without the God of the ordinances. The sermon ended, the prayers over, the singing concluded, they go home satisfied, even if there be no profit.

Not thus is it with the wise man. He is willing to sow, but it is that he may reap. He is willing to toil, that he may gather fruit unto eternal life. If reading and study do not make him wise unto salvation, he regards them as a waste of time. If the ordinances do not satisfy him as with marrow and fatness, he is hungry and sad. He lives by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. He rests in nothing short of God.

Is your own religion a form? Is it your Saviour? Or is Christ your Saviour? Is your church-membership the rejoicing of your heart, or is God's salvation all your hope and all your desire? Do you regard all religious forms a vanity, if your own sanctification is not advancing? God is not mocked. If he is not our chosen heritage, will he be our portion?

If you are "seeking for glory, honor, and immortality," you shall have "eternal life." Hold on your way. The combat, though fierce, is nearly over; the race, though hard, is almost run; the pilgrimage, through a howling wilderness, will soon terminate in your beholding the temple not made with hands. Your song will soon be that of Moses and the Lamb. Your victory will be followed by an eternal triumph. Your contest will end in a glorious prize.—Am. Messenger.