p. 148 | NEVER MIND THE STUFF by E. Goodrich

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 29, 1859

NEVER MIND THE STUFF.

By E. Goodrich

THE Saviour in speaking concerning the gate and the way that leads to eternal life, and the effort necessary to secure an entrance therein, said [Luke xiii, 24], "Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." The necessity for striving is found in the fact that the gate is strait (difficult of access), and the way is narrow (not easily found or walked in), and simply good desires and wishes, without earnest, constant and lawful striving, cannot secure us an entrance.

Again he said [Matt. v, 29, 30], "And if thy right eye offend thee pluck it out and cast it from thee. . . . And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." The true sentiment here taught is, that whatever obstacles present themselves in the way, causing us to err or forfeit eternal life, though the objects are as sacred as a right eye or hand, we are nevertheless to sacrifice them, for it would be far better to obtain the kingdom of God without these, than to forfeit the same by retaining them.

This is indeed strong meat, yet not any too strong, for it is to be feared that many set out for the kingdom of God with far too low an estimate of the cost. They understand neither the roughness nor the perils of the way, nor the amount of sacrifice to be made in getting through. They do not seem to realize that they are in the narrow way, and therefore cannot carry all that their hearts desire of the riches, the honors, the fashions and the pleasures of this world. To such it is proper to say, in the language above, Never mind the stuff.

Undoubtedly the same reason why the multitude throng the broad road, is because that in this they can walk without any inconvenience to self. For there is no restraint of lust, or curtailing of pride, to all that walk in the broad road. In fact all the paths of passion and of pride lead directly into it. And as it is a downward grade the amount carried does not hinder, but increases the progress. With these facilities it can scarcely be a wonder that this should be the most popular of thoroughfares, accommodating as it does all kinds of travel. Here the carnalist with his lustful bloated soul, the ambitious with all his objects of pursuit, the mammonist with his stores of gain and gods of gold, yea, all votaries of fashion, all seekers of pleasure, all lovers of fame, may walk without one sacrifice of feeling, desire or object.

But not so with the Christian. His is the narrow way, his the pilgrim's journey, and it is for him to lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset, and run with patience the race that is set before him. It is for him to forego the present by denying self and taking up his cross and following his Master in all things, that he may be accounted worthy to obtain the world to come.

Again, the way to the kingdom of God may be likened unto a patent gold coin detector—the object of which is to detect spurious coin. And as size and weight are the only criterions, and as the specific gravity of gold is greater than that of any other metal (except platina), and hence, as no compound can just equal in weight and in size the pure gold, the machine is so constructed as to determine both size and weight. It is made with a kind of open work at the top, just large enough to receive the genuine stamp. The coin is then caused to pass down through when it comes in contact with a nicely poised balance, on the opposite side of which is poised a genuine coin. And if the piece thus examined is just equal in size and weight to the genuine, it is said to be good also.

This may illustrate many who suppose they are heirs of the kingdom. While some are so large with self-righteousness and love of the world that they cannot humble themselves like little children, and therefore cannot get in, others are so light with fear and unbelief, that when weighed they will be found wanting. We may deceive our fellows, yea, even ourselves, but God and the truth we cannot deceive. And unless we are Christians in deed, in heart and in life, we can never obtain that goodly land.

E. GOODRICH.

Edenboro, Pa. Sept. 12th.