p. 119 | BREVITIES by J. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1861

BREVITIES.

By J. Clarke

PARENTS sometimes smile admiration when their children show skill in the art of mimicry. There is an animal called a monkey much superior in this respect, and they are not at all proud of it.

Cold water poured into a warm vessel soon becomes lukewarm, and you must empty the vessel and pour in a fresh supply, and so continue until the vessel is cold. So it is with the grace of God received into the heart. We need constant and fresh supplies, for our earthly nature soon destroys its freshness, and without fresh supplies the old becomes insipid, or nauseous.

The christian makes strange discoveries in his experience. He finds his strength is increased by weakness; his activity consists much in passive virtues; his warfare is carried on wholly by peaceful means, and he rises up by getting low; he becomes rich by poverty of spirit; he attains a character by losing his reputation; he wins life by losing it, and as frequently obtains honor by disgracing himself. Such paradoxical principles make the christian an absurd, unaccountable being in the eyes of the world, to whom these are contradictions.

It one thing to understand the truth, and a rare attainment rightly to apply it.

If a close observer, a man of correct judgment, were seated at our firesides taking notes of the words and acts of each, in order to get an exact view of our true character, how careful would each one be to give no cause of scandal; yet we are observed by those who report in the court of heaven; and by these every-day acts and words, our characters are to be decided in the judgment.

Those who escape the arts of Satan, are saved (as it were), by a continued miracle.

Appropriateness is indispensable. Parents and teachers should study to understand the wants of the young. Many a truth which would edify the experienced christian, if taught to a child, not being comprehended, might confuse him, and lead him astray. Children want facts and self-evident truths, until they by degrees arrive at some proficiency in knowledge.

The inexperienced swimmer is in danger of becoming discouraged when in danger, and if he drops his head he strangles. Much depends upon his courage then. So with the christian when tempted and dismayed; if he desponds his danger is greatly increased; but by courageously looking upward to Jesus he mounts the waves with buoyancy and delight.

Some are so flushed with a slight victory they imagine themselves at the top round of the ladder. Gen. Gates gained a great battle at Saratoga Springs, and upon this he and his friends thought that Gen. Washington should be displaced, and this gallant Gates take his place; but succeeding events proved that such an arrangement would not have been prudent, and Gen. Gates never climbed any higher. Success ruins weak minds very frequently.

Covetousness is the most dangerous, perhaps, of all sins, because the charms of the world, alluring to acquisition, are always presented to view. For this reason, were I a covetous man, I would pray in the night, when darkness would veil from my sight the waving harvests, and fair flocks and herds, and I would pray until I got rid of this miserable besetment. J. CLARKE.