The Value of Religion

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 2, 1862

The Value of Religion.

FRIENDS are highly appreciated. Wealth, if rightly used, serves an admirable purpose. Both make us easily and pleasantly situated. But friends may forsake us in the hour of adversity, or not be able to render needed assistance. Property may be suddenly destroyed. Friends, having smoothed the pillow, or cooled the fevered brow, cannot calm a troubled breast, or heal a broken heart. Wealth may secure us a soft bed, purchase the soothing antidote, obtain kind and skillful nurses, erect a splendid tomb, and draw a large concourse to the grave; but it cannot buy the healing balm for the soul, secure the attendance of heavenly watchers, or obtain a title to a mansion on high.

Where these are most clearly seen to fail, there religion comes to our relief. In adversity it is a sure support, in the sick chamber a desirable companion, in life a guide and protector, at death a source of great joy. Earthly things last only through time. They are like the flower opening with the rising sun, closing with the day, and falling from its stem in the night.

Religion springs and buds in life, opens its fragrant leaves at death, and leaves its fruit in perfection through eternity. It gives us a righteous claim to the lawful things of earth, makes the heart peaceful in the duties of the world, quiets the rising passions, and gives us permanent homes in heaven—mansions in the city of God. Nothing is equal to it. It is more precious than gold. It is the "pearl of great price"—a boon given from on high to be lived on earth and enjoyed in heaven.