H. S. GURNEY by H. S. Gurney

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 4, 1859

H. S. GURNEY

By H. S. Gurney

From Bro. Gurney.

BRO. SMITH: Although I have not written to appear in the Review for some time, it is not because I have lost my attachment for the friends of truth, or interest in the third angel's message. There is no part of this work but is of interest to me. Who can point out a duty not summarily embodied in the third angel's message? Rev. xiv, 9–13. When infinite wisdom lays out the work, and points out the way to do it, it is certainly extremely perilous to take our own way to do the work of God. God's ways are perfect; a humble confidence submits with ease to his work, and way of doing it. Now the third angel of Rev. xiv, has revealed the work of the church of God in its remnant state, both in relation to their position as a holy people and their defensive position. Their position is "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," while each individual of the remnant church is set on guard. "If any man worship the beast and his image," &c. I do not see any justifying ground short of earnestly taking heed to the voice of the third angel. Our work in this day of God's preparation is a great work. Our position is a solemn one: "Looking for and hastening unto the day of God." O let us be zealous and repent lest we be spued out of God's mouth. I feel an assurance wrought by the fulfilling of prophecy that God is in the Advent movement. He is training a people for himself. Our natures are such, while partially, it may be, unsubdued, that we must necessarily pass through trials of that nature which will bring our evil traits of character, or besetting sins to the surface; for it is God's plan to forgive our sins when confessed, and it is the goodness and mercy of God that leads us through trials in order to reveal the state of the inward man. For example, see Deut. viii, 2, 3: "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers, that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord, doth man live."

That we ought to remember the children of Israel for our example after they left Egypt, see 1 Cor. x, 1–12. Now all these things happened unto them for examples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Well brethren, let us take courage. We are most home; we can as it were almost throw our voice into the fifth kingdom—the kingdom of God. But we have

yet trials to endure; let us lift up our heads and bear as good soldiers, while we examine ourselves and prepare for translation.

I remember when I was a small boy, at the home of my childhood, while throwing my voice towards the barn which was a short distance from the house, that my voice would seem to fall back with almost as much power as it proceeded from my mouth. I wondered if some mocker had not entered the barn. The sound, or echo, was so distinct that it was hard to believe that no one was in the barn responding to my voice. So it is with the voice of prophecy when uttered by the church of God. Mockers sound the echo, or counterpart, thus producing a double evidence concerning the things spoken.

Evil servants, foolish virgins and scoffers all proclaim the truth, against which they array themselves as effectually as though they united in the proclamation of truth. The wicked who "do wickedly" know not that they are throwing weapons into the hands of God's servants to be wielded against themselves. Brethren in the ministry, there is one encouragement for you which should inspire your confidence. It is that the very opposing elements that you meet are proof positive that you are proclaiming the message at the right time. May God inspire with wisdom to move right.

Yours in the love of the truth,

H. S. GURNEY

Jackson, Mich., July 20th, 1859.