Where are we? by M. W. H.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 30, 1862

"Where are we?"

By M. W. H.

THIS question, though asked with reference to very different circumstances, has brought so vividly to my recollection, an incident of my early life, that I will not resist the inclination, to transfer it to paper. It was during a season of deep religious interest, when my pastor meeting me in the aisle of the church, greeted me with the abrupt salutation, "Mary where are you." My simple but emphatic answer was, "I do not know." With equal brevity he said, "well—build surely," and passed on. He had known me intimately from childhood, and this scene illustrates perhaps the characteristics of each, as well as could pages. I trust I did build securely then, but so deliberately, that as I now look back upon those days, I can plainly see how numerous were the anxious lookers-on.

Twice at least, since that time I have passed crises in my religious experience, and out of each I trust I have emerged on the right side. The first was in this wise; I had been educated in the most approved orthodoxy, even sectarianism, but I had never felt or witnessed denominational antagonism, until the Methodists commenced a series of meetings, in a locality where some saw fit to regard it an intrusion. In attending those meetings I soon found my self-love wounded, and my sectarianism exposed; for I had not then learned the lesson embodied in these words of Paul, "If any man trust that he is Christ's let him of himself think this, again, that as he is Christ's, so are others Christ's." Therefore when one of their preachers addressed me conciliatorily I answered him as haughtily as any pharisee need, and for the time repulsed him. But a rebellious conflict was begun in my own heart, and ere it was ended I was humbled, and vanquished. The walls of exclusiveness were thrown down, and myself prepared to unite in fellowship, with the followers of Jesus wherever found, and be the better for that union.

Years rolled on. My surroundings and associations were changed by my removing among strangers. And here it was reserved for one, who had been a minister in the same denomination as myself, for fifty years, and another equally veteran in the Christian life, but whose theories were but "the echo of the priests' lips," so to jar my religious sentiments as to arouse me from stupidity, and from that time, my Pastor and Bible-class teacher, have been gently pushing me onward; for contrast is a strong illuminator, and if to day, I stand on a somewhat different religious platform, who has wrought that change?

Thus are we often by the varying scenes of this ever-changing world called to decide the question, Where are we? Happy then may we account ourselves, if we ever have the sure word of Inspiration to guide us in that decision. And is there, any state of mind, or outward circumstance, or even a condition into which our own indiscretion may have brought us, but has been anticipated and met, by the Holy Scriptures? And oftentimes, in a casual reading may not some portion so appropriate to the full want of the mind, come over us with a power, as soothing and comforting, as if an audible, supernatural voice pronounced the words? Then, who need doubt, but by a prayerful "giving heed thereto according to his word," God shall reveal even this unto his chosen, not only as individuals, but as a people which is now acting its part in prophecy?

M. W. H.

Malone, N. Y.