CHARACTER by GEO. WRIGHT

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 22, 1862

CHARACTER.

By GEO. WRIGHT

OUR Creator has given us existence here for a wise and noble purpose; namely, to develop a character of holiness; to be real witnesses of the power of Christ on earth to forgive sins; to shine as beacon lights in this dark world all along the ascending path to the city of our God.

But how few are striving to answer the object of their creation, by humble submission to all the will of God, careful to maintain good works, prompted by living faith, kept alive by instant and earnest prayer. In short, how few among the multitude that are crying, Lord, Lord, are really forming characters of holiness by obeying all the commandments of God, and the testimony of his dear Son. There is no other standard by which we can test the genuineness of our Christian character in these days of peril, but the high and holy one presented by the third angel. May this solemn message, dear brethren, find a large place in our hearts, and be so magnified to our vision, that the world with all its allurements, may fade away in the distance, while we press our way on

"Till faith is lost in sight, And hope in glad fruition."

The lives of truly good men may be studied with profit. But there is only one being whom we can safely follow in all things, among all that have ever lived on this earth. My sheep hear my voice and follow me, says Jesus. There is safety in striving to walk in the foot-prints of our Saviour. Says Peter, "Christ also suffered for us, leaving prints of his foot behind him, that we might follow in his steps." Wakefield's translation of 1 Pet. ii, 21.

Here we have a perfect character, one that is altogether lovely. And if you and I, dear reader, would attain to all the fullness of this lovely being, we must advance steadily onward, meekly bearing the cross and despising the shame; and if we patiently endure unto the end, the promise is ours, "Fear not, little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

The following from the pen of Hannah More, on the character of the apostle Paul, shows clearly the necessity of progression in the Christian warfare:

"If ever progressive sanctification was exhibited in the life, as well as writings, of any one man more than another, it was in this heroic champion of divine truth. If ever one man more than another had a right to depend on his own safe state, it was the divinely illuminated saint Paul. Yet did he spend his after-life in self-satisfaction and indolent security? Did he ever cease to watch, or pray, or labor? Did he ever cease to press the duty of prayer on his most established converts? Did he in the confidence of supremely eminent gifts, ever cease himself to pray? Were his exertions ever abridged? his self-denial ever diminished? Did he rest satisfied with present, though supernatural attainments? Did he remember the things which were behind? Did he live upon the good he had already done, or the grace he had already received? Did he count himself to have attained? Did he stop in the race set before him? Did not he press forward? Did not his endeavors grow with his attainments? Did not his humility and sense of dependence outstrip both? If he feared being a cast-a-way, after the unutterable things he had seen and heard, and after the wonders he had achieved, shall the best man on earth be contented to remain as he is? If it were attempted, the most sanguine men on earth would find it to be impossible; nothing either in nature or in grace continueth in one stay. He who does not advance, is already gone back. This glorious, because humble

apostle, went on in progressive sanctification. He continued to grow and to pray, till he at length attained to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Reader, you and I have the same Saviour to go to that Paul had. We can attain the same fullness by pursuing a similar course, as far as God has given us ability. Let us then give all diligence to add to our faith all the christian graces, and be found without spot when the Life-giver comes. GEO. WRIGHT.

Lapeer, Mich.