p. 125 | ONE OF TEN by R. F. C.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 8, 1860

ONE OF TEN.

By R. F. C.

SOME six years since, the third message was introduced into a new place, as Bro. Loughborough will recollect, on the coast of lake Ontario. The truth took hold of the minds of those that heard, as it always does when listened to with candor, and some were deeply convicted of their duty to obey. One man thus convinced and convicted said to some of his neighbors and friends, "I will be one of ten that will keep the Sabbath." But the other nine were not immediately at hand. Some three or four, however, that saw the truth, felt that as individuals they must obey the Lord, whether any one else would or not. These obeyed, and are now rejoicing in the truth. They have had the satisfaction also of seeing others come to the knowledge and obedience of the truth, through their instrumentality. But the individual first mentioned has never embraced the truth, and perhaps never will; at least there appears at present to be no prospect of it.

This circumstance gives rise to a few reflections. What if Noah had said, I will be one of ten that will build an ark, to save ourselves from the coming flood! Would not he have perished with the rest, and the race become extinct? But he prepared an ark, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

What if Lot had proposed to be one of ten to leave the cities of the plain! What if the first disciples of Jesus had waited to see whether any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed on him! But we hear people say, "I would keep the Sabbath if everybody else would." This is not the sort of servants that the Lord wants. One that will obey the truth, because it is the truth, if they have to stand entirely alone, is worth more than a world of such.

R. F. C.