p. 126 | WHAT IS IT? by A. C. Hudson

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 5, 1861

WHAT IS IT?

By A. C. Hudson

We say we have given our hearts to God; that we will take his word for the man of our counsel, his law for the rule of our life. But do we do it? We live in a wicked and perverse generation. Its maxims and customs have governed us and now we are to be made all over new. We are as a scion cut off from its natural stem—are in one sense dead. What is it to live by faith on the Son of God? to abide in Christ as the branch abideth in the vine? What is it to pant for God as the hart panteth for the water-brook? What is it to hunger and thirst after righteousness? to strive and agonize to enter in at the strait gate? to be divested of every incumbrance and get down into the dust (as the camel did to pass the eye of the needle) that we may enter the kingdom of heaven? What is it to part with all we have that we may obtain the precious pearl? to present our bodies living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service? to lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race

which is set before us? What is it to be transformed by the renewing of our minds?

These are questions that are asked, and will be asked. We are the professed people of God; are epistles, known and read of all men. How do we answer them by our lives? It does seem to me that the more heavenly minded we are, and the more like Jesus we are, the more offensive will be the fanciful, whimsical taste of the world; the more we shall exclaim and feel that there is nothing clean, or pure, or desirable, but that which fits us for heaven. A. C. HUDSON. Allegan, Mich.