p. 1 | Prompt Obedience by J. CLARKE

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 21, 1865

Prompt Obedience.

By J. CLARKE

Some seem to think it a mark of intellect, to be somewhat skeptical. They think it would be weakness to accept truth unhesitatingly; yet it is evident that they apply this principle especially to religious matters. They have this doubt, and that scruple, and after they are thoroughly convinced of the truth they have so long battled, they take time to settle down in a dignified manner (as they suppose,) and drop their errors, one by one, as a thief would stolen property, which is found in his hand.

Suppose that Saul, when Jesus appeared to him, as he was journeying to Damascus on his errand of bigotry, had thought to himself, "Well, now, it will be weakness for me to come right down at once," and had stopped to cavil a little, and had detained the Lord to remove a few "prominent objections" to something or other, and had attempted to detain him awhile to have an argument with him, think you that we would have heard of Saul of Tarsus? Instead of stopping to sustain his dignity by advancing objections, we see the self-renouncing Saul at once drop his hatred and malice against the church, and instantly he cries out, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

So young Samuel, when called by name in the night, thinking it was Eli who called him, answered immediately. Suppose that he like many young people had dreaded to leave his snug warm bed, and had still refused to respond when called, think you that he would have been noticed in the Bible?

Or suppose that the children of Israel had dallied and objected, when directed by Jehovah to be ready against the third day to hear his voice from Mt. Sinai proclaim the decalogue, do you think that one of them would have been left to record their history?

We as a people believe we have among us the gift of prophecy. Certainly we do. We have directly from God instruction as to diet, instruction as to health, but how slow we are to receive it! That young physician believes in the gifts most firmly, yet he is still pressing on in his accustomed way, and poisons which have been pronounced poisonous by the authority he acknowledges divine, I say, those poisons are still in his list of remedies; and he still hugs his system as closely as he did before. Does he believe in the gifts of the church? Oh yes! so do his patients, some of them, and in their sickness the physician is consulted much more than the work on health, which is within reach, and is by them considered of highest authority. Certainly, that book is of high authority; but then it would 'nt look dignified to break off from our old systems all at once.

Hydropathic treatment of healthy and unhealthy bodies, is no doubt good, and would cure much of our sickness, and would prevent a vast deal more; but then we have no bath-room, and our well water is hard, and it is so inconvenient, especially in cool weather; and now our family are all sick, we must of course have the doctor, and he would 'nt like to have us dictate to him! Now what shall we do? I'll tell you what you will have to do—suffer the consequences of your negligence, and when you can get more comfort, it will be in prompt obedience.

Suppose that an enterprise is undertaken by those whom God has placed at the head of the work,—how many there are who without considering the advantages our leaders have of knowing the mind of the Lord, will immediately question the propriety of such an enterprise; and have not many reason to reflect on the part which they have taken in the past, against the will of God; and in view of these things, who of us can say, we have no need of repentance of our sins against those placed over us.

It has been observed that large bodies of men are slow to move; as a large army, for instance; but it certainly seems clear, that a well-disciplined army will make good progress, and applying this principle to the church in a figure, may we not conclude that a well-concerted plan on the part of our leaders, if met by a prompt and unhesitating obedience on the part of the body, would produce like results, and can we expect prosperity, while we yield a slow, hesitating, objecting obedience?

I do not say a man can change his habits of living in one day, or one week; but he certainly can commence and be at work, and have his heart upon the work, and be progressing in the work; and let us (while we praise the Lord for the light he has granted us through our leaders,) be careful to obey and esteem those whom God has chosen and honored, by placing them in responsible positions.

No doubt could we see our own hesitating and sluggish obedience, as clearly as it is seen by angels, the view would fill us with shame and sorrow, and it would also incite us to prompt and decided action.

Had the filthy heathen nations of Palestine, seen the thorough and hasty preparations being made in the camp of Israel, a few days previous to the descent of Jehovah on Mt. Sinai, they would have thought that people very superstitious indeed, to take so much pains to cleanse themselves from all impurity, and to fit themselves to appear with decency before the Lord on the day appointed; but when the day arrived, and those sublime manifestations of the Creator's power appeared, no doubt those scornful heathens, would with tremulous voices, have said, truly, your God is a consuming fire.

A frequent and free use of water upon the whole body, removing the filth which accumulates, may seem a small matter; nay, it may seem a "non-essential" in the eyes and minds of some. Well, no doubt the Hottentot thinks the same; but if God has spoken, he does it that we may hear.

It may seem a "non-essential" to some, as to what kind of food we eat, and how often, and at what times, and quantities we partake; but if God has given us explicit directions, it is that we obey.

It may seem a "non-essential" to some, whether a person administers or receives poisonous medicines when sick; but if God has spoken, it is for an object; he does not speak in vain, his word does not return to him void.

It is evident that there is a tendency on our part, because the will of God is made known to us so quietly, and with so little show of authority, that we need not think it quite so binding, nor quite so important, as if it came accompanied with the solemn and awful manifestations of that day, when the Lord appeared and addressed Israel, standing upon Sinai. But if he instructs us so mildly, let us obey before those tones of love are changed to the thunders of final judgment.