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SMALL THINGS

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 5, 1860

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 16, No. 3.

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SMALL THINGS.

By Wm. S. Foote

THIS is a misnomer when applied to many things with which we have to do, who have embraced the third angel's message. For instance: A professor of religion asked me why I had left off the use of tobacco. My answer was, I consider that by using it I should sin against God, which I am not willing to do for the sake of gratifying a sinful appetite. "Poh!" said he, "that is making too much of a fuss about a small matter."
There are other things about which some who profess to love the present truth may think we are "making too much of a fuss." And one is, the too common custom of giving the appellation of brother, or sister, to those who despise and reject the truth, and are its enemies and ours.
We profess to be the followers of Jesus; and the apostle John says, "He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk even as he walked." Are we walking with him, or following his example by calling those our brethren who reject and disobey the law of God? If we read the word of God aright, our Saviour gave the title of brother, or sister, to those only who kept the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. On a certain occasion he said, "Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." Matt. xii, 50. He says also in John iv, 34, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me." Is it not the will of God that we do his will also and keep his commandments?
Says David, "Behold how good it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" God has but one church. Is there any unity between those who are striving to obey God, and those who despise his government, and his holy law? If I am a Christian, is it right for me to call him my brother who is treating the solemn truths of God's word with sneers, scoffs and ridicule?
By calling such our brethren, do we not acknowledge them to be the followers of him who said, "I have kept my Father's commandments;" and does not such a course on our part, have a tendency to encourage them to go on in their own chosen way, and reject the last offer of mercy? Is there any fellowship between light and darkness? between Jerusalem and Babylon? Let us act consistently. WM. S. FOOTE.