p. 23 | The Time of Trial by C. Byington

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 19, 1865

The Time of Trial.

By C. Byington

The Lord has said by the prophet, "I will search Jerusalem with candles." No doubt this is the time when God is searching the hearts, and trying the reins of his people. He has also said, "The heart is deceitful above all things," and asks, "Who can know it?"

Those who are not willing to be tried and tested, not willing to be rebuked and chastened, and feel a spirit of self-justification, do not know their own hearts, and will be likely to be deceived. On the other hand, those who profit by trials, and when reproved, humble themselves with deep self-abasement, the candle of the Lord will shine upon them, and instead of being deceived through the deceitfulness of sin, they will be made like their Saviour, and will be his at his coming.

If the work of the third angel's message had no trials, no sacrifices, no conflicts attending it, we might then conclude it is not the purifying work that will prepare a people for translation. While the leaders in this work have many burdens to bear, others should not wish to shun trials, but be willing to share with them.

It may seem strange to us that the children of Israel so often murmured against Moses and Aaron; but there is danger in these last days, and in this last work, of our having the same murmuring spirit that brought the judgments of God upon the people. Oh, what need we have to watch and pray that we be not deceived through the deceitfulness of our own hearts.

C. Byington.

Union City, Mich.