Inconveniences in Obeying God.
By A. S. Hutchins
It is ever well to count the cost of serving the Lord, before enlisting in his service. Otherwise when temptations and trials come, we may sink in discouragement. But to suffer inconveniences to deter us from obeying God's holy word, is certainly extremely unwise. Yet many often enumerate real and supposed inconveniences in the way, and urge those as an excuse for their disobedience, to what they acknowledge to be the lawful claims of the Most High upon them. Especially is the above true, with reference to the observance of the Bible Sabbath. We are aware that to make a change in this direction, to observe the Sabbath agreeably to the fourth commandment, is often attended with inconveniences in the family and in business affairs, and not unfrequently results in a breaking up of former associations, and connections with churches, &c. But are all these things combined, of sufficient magnitude to justify us in a course of disobedience in this life, or to acquit us in the judgment of the great day? Think, O, think of this, dear reader. But did Jesus the dearly-beloved Son of God, suffer no inconveniences in the provision of the plan of salvation for fallen man? Was it convenient for him to leave the glory he had with the Father, and come down to this dark, fallen, sinful world and die, the just for the unjust? Was it convenient for him to be despised and rejected, to fast and hunger, to mourn and weep, and to be tempted of the Devil; to travel destitute of a place to lay his head, while the birds of the air had nests, and the foxes had holes? to sweat as it were great drops blood? to be betrayed, forsaken, and denied? to be scourged, spit upon, and smitten? to wear the cruel crown of thorns? to be condemned, nailed to the cross, and in the most dreadful agony, groan, thirst, bleed, and die, that you and I might live? Blessed be God the Father, he who was once dead, "now reigns on high," and kindly and urgently invites us to suffer with him, that we may reign with him, beyond these scenes of confusion, sorrow, and death, in a world of unspeakable blessedness, crowned with glory, immortality, and life eternal. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Cor. ii, 9, 10. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Rom. viii, 16, 17. "For I reckon," says the suffering, fasting, hungering, whipped, stoned, ship-wrecked, and imprisoned apostle, "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." Says Peter, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Pet. iv, 12, 13. Roxbury, Vt. Aug. 14, 1865.