The Cause in Vt by A. S. Hutchins

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

The Cause in Vt.

By A. S. Hutchins

BRO. SMITH: Since returning East I have attended meetings in Charleston, Wheelock, Jay, Morristown, and Roxbury, (and in company with Brn. Bean and Evans, at Chelsea,) besides visiting the brethren in other towns and places.

I find the brethren and sisters generally firmly united on the truth, and striving to overcome. Yet I should be glad to be able to speak of a greater degree of spirituality among the churches in the East; of more zeal in the cause of the blessed Redeemer. It almost seems that some have forgotten the exhortation, "be zealous therefore, and repent."

Why should any neglect to heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness? Is it possible for one to become unmindful of an injunction so important, and from such high authority, unless the precious reward is first lost sight of? Let us read it again.

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Rev. iii, 21.

O, the thought of sitting down with Jesus on his throne, when the toilsome journey of life is completed! Is it not enough to inspire us to greater action, and to more consecration to God?

The service of God is easy and delightful, when our minds are fully made up to serve him. But until we are satisfied that God's requirements are just, and that his ways are equal and right, and that he requires of us the strictest obedience to all of his commands, but little progress can be made. Half-hearted service of God is but mock service, and will invariably fail to secure the approbation of the Lord of light and glory.

If self must be gratified, if our own wishes and arrangements must always be consulted, and never counteracted nor disturbed, then may we as well despair of heaven first as last.

I have long been satisfied that such as are expecting to gain heaven by being found in the service of God only when the battle goes prosperously, will by and by be sadly disappointed. We must follow as closely in the footsteps of the Saviour in evil report as in good report.

But some have not realized this. A trial comes. A few clouds gather over the mind of that undecided follower of Christ, and how quickly his course is changed! He has no testimony to bear in the congregation of the saints. No encouraging word for his brethren and sisters, perhaps not for weeks or months. Visit his home, and his family altar is neglected. His family have not heard him pray for a long time. Why not? O, he is in trial. And perhaps it is one which he manufactured for himself.

Oh, what a pity, what a pity! that every professed Sabbath-keeper who claims a love for the soon appearing of Christ, is not fully and permanently decided, by assisting grace, to be a daily and consistent christian.

Those ups and downs in the service of God should certainly be avoided. Let us, brethren and sisters, live an even life. Weavers tell us that even yarn makes the best cloth.

Says Joshua, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Josh. xxiv, 15.

"Crimes in every shape increase, Judgments stalk throughout the land, Signs are borne on every breeze, That destruction is at hand." A. S. HUTCHINS.

Barton Landing, Vt., Feb. 4th, 1859.