p. 37 | BREVITIES

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 19, 1860

BREVITIES.

Evil Speaking. Soon as the story commences, take your pen or pencil, and carefully note down every particular minutely, reading it from time to time to the relator, as he or she progresses in the relation of its various parts, and see that it is exactly copied from himself, and correctly stated, with the object of the person who relates it to you, and file the paper away with others like it if you have any such, continue this practice, and evil speakers will soon reform themselves or avoid you.

An Error. To think to bring into the third message all or any of the evil practices of the Babylon we have left behind. Some seem to suppose that they have embraced this message rather as its patrons, and that their favorite hobbies must be favored and yielded to, or they will withdraw. Such entirely mistake the message and its Author, they mistake its character and its power, and such are preparing for a terrible disappointment.

Sensual.—Not having the Spirit; that is, the Spirit of God will not dwell where sensuality reigns in the heart; and its opposite is true, that if the Spirit of God fills the soul, sensuality cannot enter. Know then oh tempted one, thine only safety is in a full surrender of thine heart to the influences of the Holy Spirit, and cling to this rock as thine only and last hope: invite the good Spirit persistently, and receive the blessing joyfully, hold to this rock manfully: venture not out of this guardianship.

Prophets. Those who foretell future events. There are both true and false prophets. Not every true prophet is an Elijah, and we find a Balaam and a Saul among the prophets. It does not always prove a man to be a good person, because he has had a revelation; and Nebuchadnezzar was a proud heathen tyrant when he had his dream, and perhaps Satan quiets down those whom he would destroy by some wondrous display of power. Satan perhaps might lure his victims by bait of this kind, as of any other: or perhaps give success in the hunt, or chase, or trade, in answer to some dream. Try the spirits, test them. Prove all things. God will not be impatient while we test all that purports to be supernatural; in fact, he would have us do this.

The Trial. The offended brother perhaps imagines, that if it had not been for this particular trial or circumstance, he should not have given way to temptation. Why, dear brother, that was the very trial to test you, which if you had overcome, had made you strong. Stand then to your post, firm, upright, like the oak, always erect, with outspread arms, worshiping the Creator.

Ignorance. We do not despise the ignorant when they desire to improve; but the dolt who boasts of his ignorance, and deprecates learning, is mad. With him the sun is a satellite of earth, and religion a cloak of mail, to cover an idiotic conceit. God chooses the ignorant, not because they are ignorant, but to make his power known, and he rejects the learned, not because they are learned, but for their pedantic, proud selfconceit. God chooses the humble because they are teachable, and he will educate and polish them. Heaven is a grand university of learning, all will get liberal education there. Boast not of ignorance.