Merit by Joseph Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 14, 1863

Merit.

By Joseph Clarke

HAD the prodigal son, on returning to his father, said to his parent, "Father, can't I do something for you?" instead of "Father, forgive," his reception would not have been so cordial as it was, and his recovery would have been partial, perhaps doubtful, and his kind father would have looked upon him with sorrow, and pity, and doubt, and dread, lest a full stomach would rekindle the bestial desires of the poor vagrant now journeying homeward, impelled by hunger and poverty; but the humble expression, "I have sinned against heaven and before thee, assured the parent of a prospect of reform.

A QUERY. Did you ever notice that if an individual gets a little enmity with the church, and begins to stand out independently somewhat, he immediately takes to visiting around among the lone ones, not to get sympathy—by no means; they want to strengthen the brethren. O, how benevolent! Such, instead of doing as the prodigal son did, saying, "I have sinned against heaven and before thee," doff their hats patronizingly to God, and say, "Father, can't I be of some benefit to you?"

Thus instead of coming as a humble penitent, and being received as a lost son, the son is lost in the hungry vagabond, from whom the father retires in sorrow.

Repentance must precede good works.

He who would help others must get where God and the brethren can help him. May God help us to repent. JOSEPH CLARKE.