A DISCOURSE by J. H. Waggoner

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 21, 1859

A DISCOURSE

By J. H. Waggoner

Delivered at B. C. Conference, June 3d, 1859. BY J. H. WAGGONER.

We are not assembled at this conference to learn the reasons of our faith, but to become more deeply impressed with the truths we have learned. We may with profit follow the example of the Apostle Peter, who wrote, not to acquaint his brethren with things which they did not know, but to stir up their minds by way of remembrance because they knew these things and were established in the present truth. Especially should this be our object in the opening exercises of the conference, that we may be prepared for a profitable season of worship and labor; and to this end I would call your attention to Rom. xiii, 11: "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."

The Apostle in this connection has coupled together the two great leading points of our faith: the law and the prophets. The law, containing the great fundamental principles wherein are revealed our duties as subjects of the government of God:—the prophets, directing our minds to those duties, describing the circumstances in which we shall be placed, and the dangers that will surround us as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, and keepers of his faith. This text, then, should ensure our especial attention as believers in the third angel's message of Rev. xiv, 9-12.

We are met by our opponents at two points in this text; (1.) That it is of no importance to know the time; (2.) That we cannot know the time.

On the first point we have only to examine the scripture examples to perceive the fallacy of the objection. The Saviour said it would be in the last days as it was in the days of Noah and of Lot. To Noah it was of the utmost importance to know the time; and he knew it, while the wicked knew not till the flood came and took them all away. They too, might have known the time. Here was their error—their fatal error. It was the knowledge and belief of the time that moved Noah to build the ark. His faith in the fact of the flood would never have availed him anything if he had said: "I believe God's word, that there will be a flood; but whether it will be in 120 years, or in 1000, or 120,000, I don't know; and it makes no difference if I'm only prepared." This is the way that faith in God's word is professed in these days. But as this is our divinely given example, it becomes our duty, as it is our interest, to inquire what prepared Noah for that event? It was the building of the ark. Without this all his faith would not have saved him from the raging elements. But it is evident that he would not have built the ark if he had not embraced the time as well as the event. Can we even suppose that Noah would have built an ark to prepare for a flood that might not have occurred in 10,000 years? We cannot.

Another illustration is given in the case of Lot. He believed the word of the angels that the Lord would destroy the city. But did he continue at his employment, saying, it makes no difference when if I'm only prepared? No, no. He fled from the city. This shows us that his faith also embraced the time as well as the purpose. These illustrations were given by the Saviour, and are intended, not only to show what has been, but to point out our duty in reference to coming events. By these we learn that the time must be embraced with the event, and that our preparation for the event will only be made as we realize the time of its accomplishment. Our duties in reference to that event are not ordinary, but extraordinary. Thus, Noah and Lot, on hearing the messages given to them, might have been moved to unusual fervency of feeling, and have prayed three times as often as they did before, but unless the one had built the ark, and the other had fled from the city, their destruction would have been as certain as that of those who never prayed at all. And why? Because faith without works is dead, being alone. Our professions of faith and of love are no substitutes for obedience.

That we may know the time, is not only taught in the examples referred to, but also in our text. It speaks not to them that do not know the time, that do not care about the time, or that say it makes no difference, but to them that know the time. Some are ever ready to quote the text, "of that day and hour knoweth no man."

To this we respond, Amen! We believe it as firmly as they can, but in turn would quote another which they seem to forget: "When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." We believe all scripture is profitable, and the true position will harmonize it all. We fully believe that no man knoweth the day or hour, but a belief in that scripture we hold to be no excuse for denying another which assures us that we may know when it is near, even at the doors.

Having thus assured ourselves that this scripture speaks to us, let us try to examine ourselves in the light of the admonition and instruction. These words are addressed to them who not only know the time, but are sleeping over that knowledge. This is a startling proposition, and a first glance might tempt us to throw it back on the careless around us who know not the time. But it cannot be done. Humiliating as it is, we must acknowledge that it belongs here.

Is it possible that we are sleeping over these great—these solemn truths? We wonder at the position of the world, who shut their eyes against the truth, and do we hold the truth in unrighteousness; and sleep over that which God in mercy has given for the special purpose of keeping us awake? Can we be dull, listless, and idle, when he has said, watch and pray? Can we be lukewarm when he says, be zealous? The delusions in the world are strong indeed, by which the minds of men are blinded against the truth; but there can be no delusion so great as this, to have known the truth, to have felt its power, seen its beauty and its glory, and yet suffer the enemy to lull to sleep on the very brink of ruin.

We are commanded to grow in grace, and go on to perfection; and unless we do this we are going back. There is no standing still in the current. If we do not row up we shall float down. If we do not gather, we scatter. There is no middle ground to occupy. Beloved friends, are we so growing? Are we so striving? Are we so zealous? By watchfulness and prayer, are we kept free from the power of the tempter? Do we realize these things more than we did a few years ago? Here we may test our faith. I think we may safely say, we are sleeping over these things if our zeal has suffered any decline, if our love has grown cold, or if we have lost the vividness of first impressions. I appeal to you, dear brethren and sisters, on this point. How many of us realize that our salvation is nearer than when we believed? Very few indeed, I think I may safely say.

When we first received the truth, how lovely it appeared! What a strong sympathy—what feelings of compassion were raised for our fellow-men so soon to be overwhelmed in destruction? How it enlarged our feelings of benevolence! How small the things of this world appeared! The spirit of the gospel attended its proclamation, and the holy fruits were manifest in the consecration, the devotion, and the self-sacrifice of those who believed. How dreadful then were the threatenings of the Message. How awful the thought, to fall under the seven last plagues—to drink of the wine of the wrath of God!

We may not fully realize this truth, yet we are deciding in our lives the value we attach to the third angel's message. How easy it is to be deceived on this point. If we were told to name its value in dollars and cents, we should shudder at the thought. Yet Heaven knows the estimate we put upon it. Conversing once with a Methodist minister, he told me that he believed the Sabbath was right, and he would keep it, if circumstances would permit. But he was indebted for the place on which he lived, and he was engaged in business; if he kept the Sabbath he would have to retire from the business, and on it alone he depended to meet the payments on his place. So if he kept the Sabbath he would probably lose all. What a calculation of loss and gain for a Christian minister to make, who had often told his hearers that it would profit them nothing to gain the whole world and lose their souls! Is this following the Saviour, who would not do one act of homage to Satan for all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them? Let us beware lest we too fall into the snare of the wicked one. Many among us have yet to learn what this means, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon!"

Our Saviour said, the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.

And so it is. People calculate more prudently in this world's matters than they do in the things of the kingdom of God. Men of the world are more diligent in their labors, more persevering in their efforts, and more consistent in their actions for the accomplishment of their purposes, than Christians are to gain eternal life. This is exemplified every day in our sight. I will name a notable instance. Professor Agassiz was lately solicited to lecture before a society, but refused for the reason that it would interfere with his studies. He was told that this need be no objection, as he should be liberally rewarded. To this he replied that he could not afford to spend his time in making money! What was he engaged in of such importance that money could not tempt him to leave it for a little while? He was making acquisitions to science, and perhaps his mind was intent on a name among the great ones of the earth. But whatever it may have been, it is certain that no motive was before his mind worthy to be compared with the object we profess to have in view. Yet how few—how very few among us feel that we have no time to spare in making money! We profess to have our minds fixed on all-important things, and to make worldly gain a secondary object. But if this is our case, how the Professor's diligence and consistency shames our profession. Instead of making worldly gain secondary to the great object of his life, he makes it no object at all! Is heaven so cheap? are our Father's mansions so poor? is an eternal weight of glory so light, that they may all be outweighed by a breath of fame? Surely the example of the men of this world may rise up in judgment against us and condemn us.

Among those who appear to be sleeping on the brink of destruction I may especially notice many, if not most, of the young professors of the present truth: those who are trained in pious families, and under religious influences. They kneel in time of worship, and occasionally their voices are heard in prayer in the family or social circle. And by these means they are persuaded to believe that they are converted to God, and are on the way to the kingdom, while they are yet destitute of vital piety, and know nothing of the power of godliness. They do not seek the living testimony that they please God, but rely on the life and experience of others. Their religion is not a hungering and thirsting after righteousness: not a striving for holiness of heart, to be conformed to the sufferings of Christ, but a mere conformity to outward circumstances. Our hearts have been pained while witnessing these things. We often see the young profess religion, while they do not manifest that deep, heart-felt, abiding interest which alone assures us that they are the children of God. We can but pity them, knowing that under different circumstances they would not act differently. And so it has too often been. Often have the hearts of the parents and friends indulged the fondest hopes of the young, which have in a moment been dashed down by a change in their circumstances.

But this deception is not confined to the young alone. Many of the aged are equally at fault. Sometimes we see a husband or wife, convinced 'tis true, by the argument for the truth, but led passive by an energetic or devoted companion, while their listlessness and apathy assure us that the same amount of energy differently directed would lead them in a contrary direction. Others are held merely by their associations and church connections. At first they gladly receive the word, but when the strength of first impressions passes away, they have not moral courage to fight the fight of faith, or self-denial to separate themselves from the world. Their hearts still go "after their covetousness." Yet after having made a profession of the faith, they find it easier to nominally conform to its usages than to break away from it. Or, perhaps a pride of opinion, and fear of being called fickle may keep them in a position in which their hearts are not interested. Thus they go on deceived, and each successive step in this darkness but strengthens the deception, and renders their case more hopeless. This is not mere supposition. I feel fully assured that there are those who pass for Sabbath-keepers before the world whose actions show that mammon reigns in their hearts, and selfishness is the ruling trait of their lives.

These classes, both old and young, inconsiderately think themselves secure because they are identified with those who they think are going through to the kingdom. But in this they may be most fatally mistaken! We must not only be identified with them before

the world, or in the church, but we must be partakers with them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. We must suffer the trial of our faith, be disciplined by chastisement, and overcome temptation. Let us consider the example pointed out by our Lord. He said, "Remember Lot's wife." She stood connected with the only family that was saved from the destruction of Sodom. The angels of God were her guides and her protectors. They led her by the hand, hastening her out of the city. Who can consider themselves safe if she could not? Yet in the midst of all these privileges and evidences of divine favor, one longing look at her earthly possessions was her ruin. And there her friends left her; a monument of human folly and divine justice; a warning to lukewarm professors of the last days! 'Tis not every one that joins the army, that gains a victory; not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life.

We are admonished that it is high time to awake out of sleep by the position assumed by the nations of the earth. We are convinced by the signs of the times, by the fulfillment of prophecy that we are fast approaching the closing scenes of this dispensation. We are also assured that the Lord is holding, and will hold, the nations in check till he has prepared a people to "stand in the battle in the day of the Lord." And this is "the day of his preparation." Now he is sending forth the warning, and sounding an alarm by the voice of his messengers. Truly, "the battle is coming between the two kingdoms, the armies are gathering round." But we can notice the different effects produced by the different calls. But a short time since and the representatives of the powers of Europe met in conference—a "peace conference," as it was styled. How ready were men to rejoice over the fact: how eager to listen to, and spread, the cry of "peace and safety." But look at their position now. The alarm has been sounded, war is proclaimed, and the number of those armed and prepared for the work of death are counted by hundreds of thousands! all ready and eager to go forth to do the work of their masters.

Our whole course, as a people, shows that we need to be reminded of the fact that our salvation is nearer than when we believed. We need it because we have declined from the power of the truth, instead of going on to perfection. Our path has not been as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. While we should have grown more zealous we have become lukewarm. Our minds have become so far accustomed to the dangers before us that they do not look so terrible as they formerly did. We have held the precious truth so near the world, that it seems tarnished and dimmed by the contact. Some that have known the truth for many years seem almost to have forgotten how near God drew to his people in the early proclamation of this message, while others do not realize it, never having seen the power of God displayed in answer to the prayer of faith. I might appeal to the old tried laborers in this work, and I think they would freely testify that there is not as much fervency of spirit, as much humility, as much zeal and devotion, of the spirit of consecration, and of sacrifice for the truth, as there was five years ago. Not so much earnest, fervent prayer, by which I mean a struggling for present victory and present blessings, as then. The displays of God's power in answer to prayer were more frequent than now. I say not these things to blame you, but as beloved brethren I would warn you. It is time to arise and draw near to God; to put off the works of darkness and to put on the armor of light. We want a deeper heart work—a real hungering and thirsting after righteousness—a panting for the living God.

While these facts have been before me, and these thoughts crowded my mind; while I have regretted the want of consecration and the consequent lack of the power of godliness, I have yet felt to rejoice over the certainty of God's promises, and the assurance I have felt that he was about to revive his work. God's work must, and will, be done; his purposes will be accomplished. True, we may sit still and neglect to rise with it, but it will not be stayed. Its course is onward. If we wish to be partakers of its blessings, its joys, our course must be onward too. We are entirely dependent on the truth for success. But the truth is altogether independent of us. It will go on, it will triumph whether we go or not.

I think I speak not my own feelings only when I say that I have for some time been deeply impressed with the thought that this message is soon to rise and go with power. Satan is working powerfully in them that perish: the nations are angry and struggling to rush on to ruin: and I firmly believe that God will not leave himself without a witness in the midst of prevailing and overspreading wickedness. If we take a humble position where God can use us to his glory, and ask for the assistance of his Spirit, without which we can do nothing, I trust that God will strengthen us for the conflict, and give us a testimony that will condemn the world, and cause the inhabitants of the land to tremble. When the church of God takes the mighty weapons of her warfare, and is clothed with the power and energy of his Spirit, she need not fear to stand up before the angry world, or face all the infuriate armies of earth. When they have sought unto the Lord with all their hearts, and the refreshing shall come from his presence, and the gifts and graces of his Spirit are restored in the church, then will she be to her enemies as terrible as an army with banners. May we be sanctified through the truth, and redeemed from among men when Jesus comes. Amen!