Love | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 9, 1865

Love.

HUMBLE love becomes all things (but sin) to all men, although it delights most in those who are most holy. We may, and ought to set our love of peculiar complaisance upon God's dearest children, upon those who excel in virtue; because they more strongly reflect the image of the God of love, the Holy One of Israel. Where the loving Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. In a multitude of words there wanteth not sin, he therefore slow to speak, nor cast your pearls before those who cannot distinguish them from pebbles. Nevertheless, when you are solemnly called upon to bear testimony to the truth, and to say what great things God has done for you, it would be cowardice, or false prudence, not to do it with humility.

Be, then, always ready to give an answer to every one who properly asketh you, a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and with fear, with a reverential awe of God upon your minds. They that love God perfectly, are burning and shining lights, and our Lord intimates, that as a candle is not lighted to be put under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may give light to all the house, so God does not light the candle of love to hide it in a corner, but to give light to all those who are within the reach of its brightness. If diamonds glitter, if stars shine, if flowers display their colors, and perfumes diffuse their fragrance, to the honor of the Father of lights and Author of every good gift; if, without self-seeking, they disclose his glory to the utmost of their power, why should we not go and do likewise? Love can never do or suffer too much for its divine Object. Let us, then, be ambitious, like St. Paul, to overcome through sufferings, if need be.

“I love the Lord; he heard my cries, And pitied every groan; Long as I live, when troubles rise, I'll hasten to his throne.