Untitled article by J. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 4, 1864

Sabbath Meditations. No. 7.

By J. Clarke

In Spiritual Gifts Vol. iii, chapter 14, are some facts brought to light, which show the thoroughness of Jacob's repentance. As he wrestled for deliverance, his sin was continually held up before his mind, that is the deception he had practiced by which he had obtained his father's blessing; and this, although he had previously repented deeply of his wrongs.

Thus the Christian bewails his sin, as it often presents itself. Thus David mourned often for his sin in the matter of Uriah.

First views of sin are necessarily imperfect: but as we progress in holiness, the iniquity of sin, its utter hatefulness, and exceeding sinfulness, appear to our view.

Let a child by its frowardness mar the painting which the artist had labored for years to perfect, and at first he might be convinced of his wrong as the injury was represented to him; but in after years, especially if he should himself become devoted to the art of painting, as the spoiled painting is held up before him, he becomes more and more acquainted with the extent of the injury done, as he is more and more capable of appreciating the beauty and excellence, and magnitude of the work destroyed.

So the child of God as he draws nearer to God and obtains more correct and adequate views of his perfections and attributes, of course sets a higher estimate upon them, and has a more settled aversion to evil.

As the artist holds up before his pupil the beautiful painting marred and ruined by childish frowardness, and as it is seen by the pupil how much harm that act has occasioned, the regret of his kind teacher, whose labor has been lost and frustrated, how does he mourn.

A sin repented of deeply to-day, may in after years come up again to our view, as we discover its far-reaching effects, and pernicious tendency. More deep, more heart-searching is such repentance, as time accumulates evidence of the mischief resulting from a single wrong act, which at first seemed rather a little thing.

As a small accumulation of snow falling upon the summit of the lofty Alps, may rapidly enlarge itself by rolling down the steep mountain side until it becomes the mighty avalanche, bearing in its course immense rocks, trees, and acres of compact snow, and ice, burying hamlets and villages in its course, so a sin seeming but little in itself at first, may be very destructive and wide spread in its after course.

How much would you regret causing an avalanche by some rude act as you stood upon the mountain summit. At first you might smile as it tumbled from depth to depth, but as it rapidly grew in extent, and finally with thundering sound fell upon peaceful villages, leaving destruction in its path, how would you mourn in bitterness the temerity which sent the first light snow-ball down the cliff.

So with the effects of sin as we get up higher upon the eminence cast up for the ransomed of the Lord, and get clearer views of God, and his holiness, and the beauty and perfections of his law and government; and as we recede further from sin and its author, the more clearly do we see its far-reaching and destructive effects.

No doubt Jacob was favored with a view of the direful effect of his deception upon his posterity, to the latest generation. Perhaps God showed him how as centuries passed away, his posterity would become more and more deceitful and covetous and wicked, until the end; but be this as it may, in some way Jacob was made to discover more clearly than ever, the heinousness of his sin. But even now, this sin could not have been put away had he not repented of it previously.

Oh, the sweets of innocence! And while we writhe in the pangs of conviction, we rejoice that a way is opened up, by which man may be finally restored to his first estate of innocence and peace, where no pangs of remorse, or bitter repentings shall be felt, but all their wailings of grief, and groans of repentance, shall be exchanged for joyful songs of deliverance. Till then we wait in hope.

J. CLARKE.