THERE IS A PLACE OF REST.
By R. F. Cottrell
ALL those who receive a part of the Advent messages and reject a part, are troubled and find no rest. They are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. This is occasioned from the fact that the third message proves them transgressors of the law of God. Some have taken the position that that law has been abolished, and having said so, they are determined to have it so. They would abolish it, if they could; but it is out of their reach. It is safely housed in heaven, beneath the mercy-seat, and the throne of God. Rev. xi, 19. All those that will cease their rebellion, and turn their feet into God's testimonies, are invited to rest with us. We extend the invitation, because we have found rest. The Spirit and the bride say, Come; we have heard the invitation, and it is our privilege to say, Come. But there are a few who do not object to the third message, but through its proclamation have turned their feet into the testimonies of God, and are striving to keep his commandments, and yet are troubled about the instrumentalities by which they have received it, and seem to tremble for the future safety of the ark. To such I would say, There is a place of rest. Trust wholly in the Lord, and try to fill some humble place in the body of Christ. The Lord does not call on you or me to correct the defects in his work in the past, or guide it in the future. He has called us in, that we might get humble and confiding enough to be saved. The Lord has not entrusted this work to any man, or to any certain number of men. Yet he uses human instrumentalities, as he will, and every true member has a use and a place assigned it. God himself is pledged to direct and fulfill the work. Consequently there is no reason to fear in respect to its certain and harmonious fulfillment. But let every one beware how he gets in the way to hinder the work. The wheels will not stop, let who will get in the way. But God always works with order. He has chosen some to bear a conspicuous part in his work. The chief Shepherd makes choice of under shepherds to take the oversight of the flock and watch for souls, as they that must give account; and we are instructed to obey them that have the rule over us, and to submit ourselves. Heb. xiii, 17. "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake; and be at peace among yourselves." 1 Thess. v, 12, 13. The remnant of God's people are to keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus. Rev. xii, 17. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rev. xix, 10. Then we may expect the Lord to work in a special manner in preparing the remnant of his people for translation. We may expect to see the gifts of the Spirit revived. We may expect to see all the members of the body in harmonious and healthy action. The hands will not try to pluck out the eyes because they see more than the hands can; but will willingly labor, and be glad to be directed by the eyes. The feet will be willing to tread the dust in obedience to the Head. To speak without a parable: Visions have accompanied the third message from its very rise. The work accomplished by this message we know is of God; for it leads men to keep his commandments; and a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. Now these visions are of God, or they are not. If they are not, why has God used them to advance his work? If any one wishes to know how they have aided in the rise of this message, let him read Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 2; then let him answer the foregoing question. It is true, the visions have room for the doubter to doubt, and the quibbler to quibble. So does the Bible. A noted attempt has been made to preach the third message and reject the visions. This signally failed. An independent paper was started for this very purpose, called, The Messenger of Truth. The paper was soon discontinued, and the people who supported it are now no people. Some of the most prominent leaders have forsaken the Sabbath, and are now fighting against it with all their powers. The vision said that God would suffer them but a little while. And so it was. In a very little while God removed them far away from his work, so that honest souls should not be deceived by them. The sheep's clothing is laid aside, and the wolf appears in his native ugliness and ferocity. You that are troubled with doubts and fears, lay them aside and rest with us. Take a comprehensive view of the Advent movement, and especially of the evidences that the third message is the work of God. If it bears the divine impress, receive it; if not, reject it. If you deem the vessel sufficient to bear its burden safely over, embark—embark wholly. Do not stand with one foot on shore, and the other in the boat. Put all on board except your doubts and fears. Leave them behind. And if you have not skill to guide the vessel, you can obey orders and do what you can. Our Father is at the helm. God will take care of his cause, and if you are faithful he will take care of and save you. Each one bears his own responsibilities and not another's. We can trust God to guide, and that in his own chosen way. We can obey, and be at peace among ourselves. Let us throw off responsibilities that do not belong to us, and faithfully discharge those that rest upon us. There is a place of rest. It is in doing what we can, and leaving the rest with God. Here let us rest.
R. F. COTTRELL.