p. 114 | Miscellaneous

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Sep 8, 1863

Miscellaneous.

A SWINE does not dream that he is inferior at all, but rather thrusts his proboscis, with all confidence, wherever he can, with any prospect of success, to find something to gratify his taste; he does not seem to himself to be greedy, or filthy, or disgusting, but evidently is blessed with as little modesty, or far less, than other more intelligent quadrupeds, some of which seem to appreciate their place and keep it.

So the most ill-mannered, slouching, and slovenly people do most thrust themselves forward, and their deformity is hidden to none but themselves.

A noble mind soars so high that many lesser trials are entirely below them; so far below that they were not even seen or noticed: and thus while the noble mind is soaring amid the sunbeams, the groveling soul is intent upon analyzing the filth of earth.

The most our foes can do is either to hurt our reputation or fortune. They cannot hurt the character which is pure and holy, nor mar permanently or effectually, the happiness which is based upon the promises of God through obedience to his word.

The crafty man may cheat the unsuspecting unguarded person of his hard earnings, but he cannot rob him of his peace, if it is well founded; and never is peace more sweet than when granted of heaven, to heal the wounds inflicted by reckless, unfeeling, covetous wretches, whose hearts are callous, and whose consciences are dead.

Conceited persons are in the habit of judging others severely; themselves they judge more favorably.

Rules of life are a dead letter unless carried out according to the dictates of a sound mind: hence good sense is never better applied than in applying these rules, and nowhere is it more indispensable. If all would always think of this principle, much reproach and fanaticism would be avoided.

MURMURING.—What profit is it, that we have kept his ordinances, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? Mal. iii, 14.

It is often repeated in the mind, by those who would shudder to speak it out in plain, open conversation, that they are disappointed: they have been quite liberal, have been self-denying in many respects, have come out from the world in respect to the Sabbath, have been a mark to be shot at by the chief priests and pharisees of the day—and now what? Why here is perhaps trouble where we expected blessings, for a long time we have expected the Lord to come and free us from this drudgery and hard work; instead of his coming, came reproach and temptation, and a world of work; instead of deliverance from a world of sin, here came reproof for sin; and instead of being exalted to a seat by the side of the Saviour, came an invitation to descend into the valley of humility. O how disappointed! Instead of being carried along with applause, here is the watch-care of the brethren. Oh who wants to be watched!

Such has been the meditation of many, some of whom have been sifted out, others are left behind, others are fulfilling the prophecy of verses 16-18, speaking often one to another, and learning to praise the Lord, instead of murmuring against him.

Oh it is a dangerous sin, a terrible sin to murmur! Do the clouds withhold the rain? don't murmur. Is thy work hard, constant, painful? do not complain. Are friends turned to foes because of thy obedience to God? be patient. Do thoughts ever come thronging thy mind with dark misgivings about thy worldly store, lest want or poverty should befall thee? or has the spectral form of poverty already entered thy dwelling, with his icy hand and pinched and wrinkled visage? Remember that a cheerful, thankful heart, and courageous soul, will soonest drive him hence. Remember the story of the murmuring host, who fell in the wilderness, only two of whom escaped.

Murmur not lest all thy former work be lost: cast out thy first murmuring thought, lest it spread like the leprosy of Egypt, and darken thy soul; lest it spread around and others murmur too. Rejoice in the Lord, O my soul; for the Lord is good.

J. CLARKE.