THE STANDARD by S. C. COURTER.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 10, 1860

THE STANDARD.

By S. C. COURTER.

My mind has been dwelling considerably of late on the subject of holiness; the state we must attain to in order to be translated as were Enoch and Elijah. Now is there but one, or are there many standards? I can see but one right standard, that is the word of God. He commanded his ancient people to be holy. Ex. xxii, 31; xxiii, 13; Lev. xi, 44, 45; xx, 7, 8. We see by these few texts that they were to walk circumspectly, and keep all his precepts, his statutes and laws. And does he require less of his people now? I think not. His moral law is the same as when spoken at Sinai. God is the same pure, holy being now that he ever was; but the mystery of iniquity which had already begun to work in Paul's day, and which has since developed itself in various ways, has perverted the right way, and turned the truth of God into a lie, would have us think God changeable, or that he does not require perfect obedience now, since Jesus died, as though he had given us license to break his Father's law. But hear what the blessed Saviour, who gave his life a ransom for us, says. In his sermon on the mount he enforces his Father's law under the penalty of being least in the kingdom of heaven. See Matt. v, 17-20. He commands us to be perfect. Verse 48. Paul says [Rom. xii, 1, 2], I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

My dear brethren and sisters, let us see to it that we raise the standard as high as the word of God. We see that the sifting time has come, when many, we fear, are turning from the holy commandments. The question comes home with force to my trembling heart,

Will ye also go away? I feel to say in the language of a good old hymn,

"Dear Lord, with such a heart as mine, Unless thou hold me fast, I feel I must, I shall decline, And prove like them at last.

"Yet thou alone hast power, I know, To save a wretch like me; To whom, or whither, should I go, If I should turn from thee?

"Beyond a doubt I rest assured Thou art the Christ of God, Who hast eternal life secured, By promise and by blood.

"No voice but thine can give me rest, And bid my fears depart; No love but thine can make me blest, And satisfy my heart.

"What anguish has that question stirred, If I will also go? Yet Lord, relying on thy word, I humbly answer, No."

May we all overcome, is my prayer.

S. C. COURTER.

West Windsor, Mich.