p. 18 | Have we Got the Truth? by A. S. Hutchins

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 13, 1864

Have we Got the Truth?

By A. S. Hutchins

"It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace." The platform of Bible truth is sufficiently broad for every one to be fully rooted and grounded thereupon. To stand in doubt and uncertainty in regard to where and what present, sanctifying, saving truth is, not only robs us of our happiness, but of our usefulness and prevents our growth in grace.

No progress either in usefulness or happiness, can be made while we stumble or stand balancing between error and truth, at every evil suggestion of the enemy. "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."

Says James, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." Jas. v, 7, 8.

Patience is here first enjoined upon us, and then that we should be stablised in the work of the Lord, in the truth of his word. Then as we prize sound reason and judgment, and unanswerable arguments drawn from the word of God, above a flight of feeling or a noisy show, let us stand by the truth, and in holy confidence look the world in the face, assured that the man who receives the truth and lives it out, will overcome and gain the reward of eternal life.

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. xiv, 12.

Dear brethren and sisters, is not here the great fort of truth around which the remnant church should gather? Have not the first and second messages of this chapter been given? Is not the third now sounding? Is it not gathering the people of God into the unity of the faith? Have we not reached the time of the cleansing of the Sanctuary? and should we not now keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus?

If any of these questions will admit of a negative answer, who will tell us what is truth? Our opponents do not agree in their testimonies or platforms, nor have they for the last fifteen or eighteen years. Shall we then let go at once of the great cable of truth, and grasp the air?

Suppose some one really thought that he had found a people that had less trials and seemed to be more free in spirit than Sabbath-keepers are; should we conclude that the pillars upon which the edifice of truth

tests, are all knocked out? Oh, no, beloved of the Lord, let us rather "be patient." "Stablish your hearts." We shall see a glorious result soon, but not without suffering with Christ first.

The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Pet. v, 10.

The Jews shouted in clamorous triumph, while the dear Saviour cried, "My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?" He was accomplishing the great work of man's redemption, yet not in a very happy flight of feeling.

O ye lovers of the blessed Lamb of God, let us feel after the pillars of truth. Let us understand our whereabouts. Let not principle and sound reason yield to airy flights or noisy shouts. It is not the most noisy streams that afford the sweetest water.

Let the question be settled, Have we got the truth? And let it be fully obeyed and joy and peace and endless life will be our sure reward.

"There will we sing, our suffering o'er; And praise Thee evermore." A. S. HUTCHINS.