I Thought it Over, Concluded it Was Wicked, and Put it Away.
By W. S. Ingraham
DEAR BRETHREN : Permit me to address you a few lines on the great and all-important subject of holy living. When I take into consideration the word of God, and contrast it with our manner of living, I plainly see a wide difference. We are living in a very solemn time. God is calling out from the world and preparing a people for the holy city. Time is passing swiftly away, and the decisive moment is hurrying on. Our faults must be put away and our lives must be devoted to the service of God.
I have discovered many evils among us as a people, a few of which I will mention.
1. There is a great lack in our families in many respects. Family religion will give shape and color more or less to all the affairs of life. Prayer and praise should go up to our heavenly Father evening and morning. How reasonable to offer praise and thanksgiving every evening to the great source of all good, for his kindness and guardianship extended to us during the conflict of the day. And how rational to ask for divine wisdom and grace to guide and uphold us as we launch out upon the cares of the returning day. When we live out the principles of our holy religion at our homes and in all the business of the week, when the Sabbath returns we are ready to enter into the more public worship of God with spirit and delight. Some of our brethren have no praying in their families. This duty is neglected entirely; while some others can pray when they can afford to spend time. Such persons may dream of heaven, but in vain, until there is a great reform in these respects.
2. There is a great lack of sobriety. Our conversation should be in heaven from whence we look for our Saviour. Hours spent in idle conversation are more than lost. They will tell fearfully against us in the day of judgment. Hear the wise man, as words of fire drop from his lips: "For God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil." Eccl. xii, 14. "Only let our conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ." Paul.
Evil witticism and idle words eat as doth a canker and destroy vital godliness. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
The cause of present truth calls loudly for simplicity, gravity, and sobriety. Christ, the son of God, views his last work with deep solemnity and inexpressible interest and anxiety. The angels of God tremble as they lay aside their harps and onward come, bearing decisive dispatches from the court of heaven to the church of God on earth. Ministers especially should be sober. To us the church is looking for example. An idle word, or light conversation from us quickly runs through the whole church, and all are led astray and become defiled. A wrong influence from a preacher is like the pebble thrown into the lake: its wake ceases not until it reaches the distant shore.
We do not begin to realize our condition. We are shorn of our strength too much, and the cause of Christ weeps in our midst. Oh awake, awake to life and to duty, and your beautiful garments put on! Cry aloud and spare not! Onward to fight and to victory!
ly vision, then? How often has the idolatry of the church been pointed out. Parents have been reproved for their pride. Some have reformed as they suppose, but still indulge their children in fashions that have been shown to be an abomination in the sight of God. The golden wedge and Babylonish garment have been too long in your tents.
My heart beats in unison with those who are crying against sin in every form. The great trouble has been when the straight testimony has been given, too many have been ready to take off its edge and thus render it powerless. We should be like Gideon's army, when the trumpet is blown all blow together. In giving our testimony against immodest fashions and pride, we should not leave any way of escape for the filthy. Filthy persons dishonor and reproach the cause of Christ. Christians are called upon to be pure in mind and person. Impure Christians would be a contradiction in terms. Let us labor to enter into rest. "Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in and shall not be able.
W. S. INGRAHAM.
Darlington, Wis. July 25th 1863.