CONVINCED, NOT DECIDED.
By Jos. Clarke
You admit the third angel's message is now being proclaimed; you see the consistency of the truths brought to light in this message; you acknowledge that these truths vindicate the justice, goodness and benevolence of God; you see that these truths are ancient as the everlasting hills, that they have been covered up for ages by the rubbish of tradition; that they are all founded in the word of God, and you are deeply convicted of your duty, that there is salvation only in obedience to these plain, rudimental truths of God's word; yet you are undecided. You are alarmed in view of your situation outside of the ark, and you know and realize that while you bow to the institution of the beast, you are exposed to be left to receive his mark; yet you ponder. You are aware that while you are pondering this matter over in your mind, all heaven is interested, angels watch with interest what will be your decision, and saints too are anxious in your behalf. Satan stands by and persistently strives to convince you of the injury your business would suffer, how your partners or associates would frown or sneer, yet you say this does not move you; and still you ponder, still you are undecided; why is this? Should some emperor offer you a present of high value, on condition of your performing some possible, practicable, virtuous action, which would be honorable both as to the reception of the prize and the practice of the virtue, how long would you hesitate? Not one moment, lest some one else should seize the prize while you were parlaying. Let me expostulate. You seem to hesitate: Who made the world, and all that is therein, and by whose fiat does it move in its accustomed motion? Does the inanimate earth move in obedience to its Maker; and shall intelligent, reasonable man alone disobey? God says the seventh day is the Sabbath, the pope says the first day is the Sabbath. Whom will you believe? Whom will you obey? God pronounced death upon Adam, Satan denied the truth of God. Now whom will you believe? God in his word says, The dead know not anything. Satan says they do; that death is not an enemy, but the "grand accoucher of the soul." Now who is entitled to your credit? Still can you hesitate? What if business is injured, and property sacrificed? Will you have a home in the city of God? a blazing crown, and a sight of God upon his burning throne? the company of angels, and glorious martyrs, and prophets, and apostles, and all the lovely and good of earth? What is the wealth and ease of earth? Away with its honors; away with its treasures. Seek for immortal honors, and unfading wealth. Seek for an imperishable crown, a permanent home in the refined, the pure, the intelligent society of celestial beings, angels who stoop to protect, to warn, to comfort you now, but who, if you grieve them, will not long strive. Time is closing. This work is short. Decisions now are final. Soon will the good Spirit wing its way from earth, and probation will end. Decide, oh brother, for truth and eternal life.