TWO MASTERS by A. S. Hutchins

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1861

TWO MASTERS.

By A. S. Hutchins

"Two masters are too much for me, Nor can the world with God agree."

The servant who would take upon himself the task of serving two antagonistical masters according to the flesh, at the same time, would not only find his position extremely grievous and burdensome, but one utterly impossible to fill. But not more so than the man who attempts to serve God and mammon.

"No man," says Jesus, "can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matt. vi, 24.

It is not possible to have our affections on things above, and on things on the earth; to possess the Spirit of the Lord, and the spirit of this world; to love holiness, and sin; "for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" 2 Cor. vi, 14, 15.

Neither is there a middle ground, a standing nowhere and serving no master. We live and act, and spend our time and talent, for God or for the enemy; our influence weighs for or against the cause of the blessed Saviour, who says, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." Matt. xii, 30.

Says the apostle, "Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Rom. vi, 16. It is for us to choose which master we will yield obedience to, which road we will walk, whether it be the one to death, or to eternal life and endless joy.

Dear reader, are you halting between two opinions? O, do no longer delay. We affectionately beseech you in the language of an eminent servant of God, "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." Josh. xxiv, 15. All heaven awaits your decision with the deepest interest. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. The church of God invite you to come. Jesus waits to graciously fold you in his everlasting arms, and to soon bring you to the mansions of rest, to the enjoyment of endless felicity.

"O, come to life's waters, Nor thirstingly roam."

With satisfaction we have marked the friendly feeling of many toward the truth, and their love to some extent of the solemn message we bear; we have seen the gushing tears drop from the eyes of the old and young as they have heard the message proclaimed, who hitherto have not taken a decided stand for all the commandments of God. Will you not walk in the light that shines forth from God's sacred word? Can you not take a stand with commandment-keepers? Can you longer violate the holy Sabbath and expect the peace and favor of God to rest upon you? Peace and righteousness may be yours if you render obedience to God. "O, that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments; then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." Isa. xlviii, 18.

"In vain," saith the Son of God, "they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

Matt. xv, 9. What authority higher than that of man can be found for Sunday-observance? Why not then cease from the observance of an institution of man, cease to trample under foot God's holy rest-day, and turn and render obedience to him, and him alone? "It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Throw off at once the galling yoke of trying to serve two masters, and serve God in singleness of heart, with a perfect heart, in sincerity and truth, and in holiness and righteousness, having your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Rom. vi, 22. A. S. HUTCHINS.