MEASURING OURSELVES BY OURSELVES by A. S. Hutchins

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 14, 1859

MEASURING OURSELVES BY OURSELVES.

By A. S. Hutchins

NOTHING perhaps is more common than to hear individuals speak of the practice of this or that one, of Christ would be thrown into, if we leave the perfect

rule, and measure ourselves by one another. A carpenter's son had a rule given him to saw window sash by, the first sash was sawed by the rule, the second by the first sash, and the third by the second, and so on. A slight variation in the measurement each time, and the sash would soon be of all lengths and sizes. So with the unwise who measure themselves by themselves. Says Paul, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." 1 Cor. xi, 1. Thus far, we may copy the example of each other, but no farther. Again, says he, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children." Eph. v, 1.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God," is the injunction of the apostle. Let this injunction have its weight upon our minds that its importance demands, and we shall find but little time to spend in gratification of the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life.

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world." 1 John ii, 16.

Neither shall we find fault with brethren and sisters, nor backbite, nor tattle, if they should not measure themselves by us. A fault-finding, talkative spirit is in the hearts of some, which I fear will shut them out of the kingdom, if it is not subdued. Brethren and sisters, we must have a religion that will "bridle" the tongue; that unruly member must be tamed.

"SPEAK NOT EVIL ONE OF ANOTHER, BRETHREN." A. S. HUTCHINS. Bristol Vt. June 14th, 1859.

in justification of their own course, and often too, when if they did not desire to pattern after them, their practices would be condemned at once.

The worldling, and the proud, haughty professor, we may expect will be content with poor, frail mortals for their pattern. No better one is sought or desired. The Perfect Pattern is rejected, "despised and rejected of men."

They eagerly grasp the expensive, ridiculous, hurtful and sinful fashions and customs of the day. The tide of fashion sets downward to death and destruction, and away they are borne as the bubble floats upon the surface of the water.

Yes, professed followers of "the Man of sorrows" spend their precious time, strength and means, in running from fashion to fashion, whether modest or immodest, decent or indecent, cheap or costly, healthful or hurtful. "It is the fashion," "quite fashionable;" and this atones for wasted means, loss of health and time, with "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."

"Surely every man walketh in a vain show." "The fashion of this world passeth away." "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John ii, 17.

But how few, very few realize these things and lay them to heart. Fashion excites and feeds the pride of the heart, and drives away the thoughts of the Bible, of heaven, of God and the judgment.

"Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; but the proud he knoweth afar off." Ps. cxxxviii, 6. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." Oh! ye proud and haughty ones, come read your fearful doom: and consider upon it, I beseech you.

"For behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Mal. iv, 1.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted and mourn and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." James iv, 7–10.

Happy, thrice happy the individual who obeys the instruction of God's word. Whose pattern is the meek and lowly Saviour, who suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we "should follow in his steps."

But, dear brethren and sisters, do we pattern after him? Is he our example? Is there not a measuring ourselves by ourselves, not pleasing to the Lord? Do we not justify ourselves in some things not right from the example of others?

In our opinion it is high time that snuff and tobacco were put away from among the remnant. But it is to be believed that some yet continue to chew and snuff the filthy weed, and that to on the strength of the practice of others. Such a brother or sister uses it, and if he or she can, "it is not wrong for me." Or such a brother may use some simple means in sickness, and it is no worse for me to use my snuff or tobacco or tea. Such a one dresses so and so and it is no worse for me to wear this or that.

Now why not quit at once taking license to do this or that, because that some one does the same, or something that you construe to be as bad, or worse? Do you think to justify yourself in this way? If your course is right, it is right; and if it is wrong you cannot hide the wrong under the practice of others. We shall stand or fall for ourselves. And "every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

Says the Apostle, "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise," 2 Cor. x, 12.

A figure will illustrate the condition that the church of Christ would be thrown into, if we leave the perfect rule, and measure ourselves by one another. A carpenter's son had a rule given him to saw window sash by, the first sash was sawed by the rule, the second by the first sash, and the third by the second, and so on. A slight variation in the measurement each time, and the sash would soon be of all lengths and sizes. So with the unwise who measure themselves by themselves.

Says Paul, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." 1 Cor. xi, 1. Thus far, we may copy the example of each other, but no farther. Again, says he, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children." Eph. v, 1.

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world." 1 John ii, 16.

"SPEAK NOT EVIL ONE OF ANOTHER, BRETHREN."

A. S. HUTCHINS. Bristol Vt. June 14th, 1859.