How Many by W. S. Salisbury

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 10, 1863

How Many.

By W. S. Salisbury

Oh! how many there are ready to say when the claims of truth are presented before them, What will such a one say? How can I ever do it? I never will be a laughing stock for the whole place. For my part, I never want to be an Adventist. How unbecoming for any one to leave off their pins and rings. Then to leave off wearing hoops; that is more than I can endure! I don't see the harm in trying to appear decent. I am so glad I have got my eyes open. The idea that one has got to 'make such a sacrifice to live a Christian' I don't believe in. Only see how many good persons have lived and died Christians that drank tea and coffee, wore jewelry and dressed as fashionably as anybody. Well, for my part, I don't want to hear a word about the soon coming of Christ; I don't believe any one can tell any thing about it. I don't like to hear about that Advent doctrine at all. I am better satisfied than ever that our church is the only true church.

Such is the language of pride, worldliness, and self-gratification. But the child of God takes another view of things, and responds, Oh, what precious promises are given us! Soon my Saviour will come to redeem me from this world of sorrow, sickness, and death. Then shall I bask in the glory of my loved One forever and ever. Oh, will it not be sweet then to join in singing the song of Moses and the Lamb, on the sea of glass, with the 144,000? Oh, what a glorious company! Crowns of gold placed on their heads, and palms placed in their hands, by one whom they loved so well that they were willing to leave father and mother, sister and brother, husband, wife, children, and all. Who does not want to sacrifice for the sake of Jesus, and be with that happy company at last, as the twelve gates of pearl open wide to give them an entrance into the city, and as they walk the streets paved with gold in the New Jerusalem? There is the pure river of water of life, clear as a crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb. There they can have a right to the tree of life and live forever and ever.

Dear reader, you may have friends, opposed to the spirit of present truth; if so, bear their case heavenward, and Jesus will hear and send ministering angels to guide the honest in heart into the light of his word.

W. S. SALISBURY.

Adam's Center, N. Y.