Instability by Jos. CLARKE

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 28, 1863

Instability.

By Jos. CLARKE

“UNSTABLE as water thou shalt not excel.”—Bible.

An example of instability is afforded in the coquette, who, pleased with the present suitor, is often influenced to give encouragement, first to this, second to that, third to another, and so on to a fourth or fifth, or more, as her fancy or whim or caprice or pride dictates, until she often entangles herself in a labyrinth of difficulties.

Sometimes, she is a long time deciding between two opinions, her unstable mind wavering which suitor to accept: one is favored being present, but again in his absence, the other is encouraged.

In the midst of her silly imbecility and weakness, she is inwardly piquing herself upon the power she wields, in that she can hold in suspense so many, who bow complacently to her charms, but inwardly suspect her constancy: thus the very cause of her own increasing self-conceit, is also causing a corresponding decline in the good opinions of others.

Thus, by as much as she trifles with the affections of her companions, and so inflates her silly pride, by so much does she fall in the estimation of each.

So, in spiritual things, how many are halting between two opinions: to-day, like Felix, almost a Christian,—to-morrow as far in the other direction.

Like the Hebrew people of old, they to-day fight under the banner of traitorous Absalom, and to-morrow bring back the rightful prince to his city and his crown: or like Herod, they to-day listen joyfully to

the instructions of John, to-morrow they would listen to the horrid proposal of some daughter of Herodias. Convinced but not converted, nor changed in heart, without decision of character, they float loosely upon the tide, now blown by the wind upon this shore, now upon that; or like a leaf tossed upon the winds, and falling, despised, neglected, and uncared for.

The unstable person must expect to be slighted; for no one can place confidence in them. The person who attempts to serve God and mammon, who has his heart upon heaven and earth both, sometimes half awake to his duty, at another all absorbed with the world, is neither liked by the world nor loved by God and his people.

Such a trifler becomes distasteful to all: his equals despise him, the earnest worldling and the zealous Christian find no profit to them from his conversation; he has too much religion for the one, and too little for the other.

His superiors pity him, his dependents are ashamed of him, and his character and doings render his name a jest.

The double-minded person is unstable in all his ways. Perhaps he is of a religious cast of mind, and when in the company of God's people, his mind inclines to go with them: but when thrown in company with the world, his ardor is cooled, his zeal is quenched.

Such a person, unless he see his danger and fortify himself, is sure to fall into the snare of the Devil.

Such a people were the Jews. They were very fickle in their religious experience, always wavering. To-day they extol Jehovah; to-morrow a golden calf, or Baal; until wearied with their wanderings, Jehovah forsakes them forever.

To the unstable we say, ARM youselves with the truth, and stand up manfully and bravely in its defence.

Jos. CLARKE.