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Devotion

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 6, 1865

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 26, No. 1.

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Devotion

By Jos. Clarke

Is supposed by many, to be much in prayer. But prayer is only one act of devotion.
A good, and wise, and devoted man, is one who has engaged in the service of the greatest and best of Kings, and is striving by every means in his power to please the King.
The kings of earth have many devoted and loyal subjects, many whose whole study and effort is to serve and benefit their sovereigns; and some would cheerfully lay down their lives if necessary, in behalf of those whom they serve. Such devotion is true and beautiful; but it is rendered to a perishing mortal, and often prompts to acts of baseness and servility. This is not devotion in the noblest sense.
The devotee, who punctually pays his vows to some idol god, the papist who invokes daily his patron saint, and counts his beads; the Mussulman who with daily, and sincere and persevering prayer calls on Allah, and Mahomet his prophet, all are devoted; but these all fail from ignorance and error.
True devotion, is that which is rendered to the being to whom it is due, when it is rendered in a becoming manner, with consistency, and sincerity, and truth.
Wise men both in public and private affairs, consider it an established rule of action, to make the less give way to more important interests, when such interests clash with each other. Thus, when the safety of an excellent government is at stake, it is thought better that armies be raised, and thousands of precious lives be lost, than that governments fail, and chaos and anarchy prevail. And in case of public necessity most valuable private property is sacrificed for the public good. And in less important matters we reason in a similar manner.
In case of a conflagration of a city it may be necessary to blow up and destroy whole blocks of buildings, filled with treasures, to arrest the progress of the flames, and thus save cities from ruin. Often men sacrifice large amounts of money to clear themselves from posts of danger. In these things they reason correctly.
Why should we not reason always as correctly, in relation to our standing and prospects for eternity?
Doubtless all should reason as clearly, and calmly on things relating to our connection with our Creator, as we do on minor matters. He who does this, and who faithfully carries out such principles in his life, making this a practical matter, daily, hourly, constantly, zealously, prudently, wisely, may be termed a devoted man.
But by some strange infatuation, the wisest statesman, the most far-seeing prudent politician, the most profound scholar and thinker, the skillful artisan, the devoted teacher, the most thorough and practical man of the world, all seem to be bereft of reason when they are approached or reasoned with as to the relations they sustain to God. On these most momentous and important matters, they know but little, and often care less.
The correct and noble principle of making sure of a greater interest, even if it may cost the sacrifice of the less, is quickly forgotten, and the theme of man's relation to God is covered up in error, or repelled with scorn, or smothered by silent neglect.
The devout and holy man is not so. He is continually weighing in his mind, his own and others' interests; and whenever he finds his present ease or happiness conflicts with his prospects of eternal life, he prepares his mind for a sacrifice of the present gratification, that he may attain to better life hereafter. Does any one of his pursuits in life clash with the known will of God, he does not hesitate to renounce the hidden things of dishonesty. In like manner he reasons with his acquaintances, and friends, and would fain have them reason in the same way, and from the same standpoint.
The devout man has by a correct mode of reasoning carried out in higher interests, brought himself within the influence of God's Spirit, and the agency of holy men; and holy angels approve his reasoning, and assist him.
His life is a blessing to himself, and all with whom he is acquainted. The poor feel that he is their helper. The weak find in him a friend, the virtuous are conscious of his approbation, and the impure blush at his approach; for his life condemns them. The guilty avoid his company, while the righteous rejoice and are made glad in his presence.
Jos. Clarke.