An old man, crowned with honors nobly earned,
Once asked a youth what end in life he sought.
The hopeful boy said, “I would first be learned;
I would know all that all the schools e’er taught.”
The old man gravely shook his head,
“And when you’ve learned all this, what then?” he said.
“Then,” said the boy, with all the warmth of youth,
“I’d be a lawyer, learned and eloquent;
Appearing always on the side of truth,
My mind would grow as thus ’twas early bent.”
The old man sadly shook his head,
“And when you’ve done all this, what then?” he said.
“I will be famous,” said the hopeful boy;
“Clients will pour upon me fees and briefs;
’Twill be my pleasing task to bring back joy
To homes and hearts near crushed by darkest griefs.”
But still the old man shook his reverent head,
“And when all this is gained, what then?” he said.
“And then I will be rich, and in old age
I will withdraw from all this legal strife;
Known in retirement as an honored sage.
I’ll pass the evening of an honored life.”
Gravely again the old man shook his head,
“And when you’ve done all this, what then?” he said.
“And then!—why, then I know that I must die.
My body then must die, but not my fame;
Surrounded by the fallen great I’ll lie,
And far posterity will know my name.”
Sadly the old man shook again his head,
“And after all of this, what then?” he said.
“And then, and then”—but ceased the boy to speak;
His eye, abashed, fell downward to the sod;
A silent tear dropped on each blooming cheek.
The old man pointed silently to God,
Then laid his hand upon the drooping head,
“Remember there’s a place beyond,” he said.
Sel.
The Humble Prayer-Meeting.
By M. E. Piper
BLESSED retreat! How our soul loves the spot where prayer is wont to be made. It is not the gay, the proud, the pleasure-seeker, the scoffer, that loves to resort there; the multitude do not usually flock to the place. It is not where folly, and vanity, and covetousness, and worldly-mindedness, find a fit place to gather. To such, this place has no attractions; and yet we will not pass them by, we will try to win and woo them to the feet of Jesus. He is our precious Saviour. His tender, pitying eye sees our distress on their account. He treasures the tears that are shed for sinners. He will meet us in the prayer circle, and bless us in measure as we have labored for him.
Oh! praise the Lord, that we ever learned to love the prayer-meeting. No sermons or exhortations, however good, can supply its place, or make it of no importance to be sustained. Secret prayer is necessary to the growth of the soul, and no public duties can be well performed without it.
But blessed are they that gather together in the name of the Lord, for there will he be in the midst of them. M. E. PIPER.
Authority and the Sabbath
By H. A. St. JOHN
Authority.
AUTHORITY is either human or divine. Those truths that have the impress and sanction of Heaven are divine. All Christendom are agreed in recognizing the Bible as divine authority. Every Christian duty obligatory upon us must in some way rest upon a divine command.
No part of the Bible is entitled to greater respect as being divinely given, than the ten commandments, uttered by God himself, in the hearing of his people, and written with his own finger on the durable rock. Standing forth in this sacred document, is the commandment for the observance of the Sabbath. For the keeping of the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord, there is, therefore, the very best and highest divine authority.
In vain we appeal to Sunday-keepers for a divine command authorizing their practice. None such can be found in the sacred word. It is generally confessed that there is no such command. Therefore, the conclusion cannot be evaded, that for making a Sabbath of the first day of the week there is naught but human authority. This being so plainly evident, how long need any one be in deciding what is duty? It is not necessary for the Protestant to wait, before settling this important question of duty, until he has read ecclesiastical history, or the testimony of uninspired men. It is enough for him to know that God has never required the one, but has plainly commanded the other.
What does God want me to do? is the all important question; and this should be answered by an appeal to his revealed will. Then with a heart filled with an earnest desire to do the will of God, we should say, Lord, here am I, to do thy bidding. Such are willing and obedient servants, and, ere long, will hear the voice of the divine Teacher, saying, Well done, enter into the joy of thy Lord.
Reader, which has the greater weight with you, divine or human authority? Are you squaring your life by the precepts of Jehovah? or by the sayings and doings of men? H. A. St. JOHN.
Love Makes the Difference.
“Oh, it’s just as different as it can be!” said one of my young friends.
“What is?” I asked.
“Why, being a Christian. Everything is so different from what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“When you used to talk to me about being a Christian, I used to say to myself, No; I can’t now, for I shall have to do so many hard things, and I never can do them!”
“What hard things?”
“Oh! I used to think, now if I become a Christian, I shall have to walk just so; shall have to go to church and prayer-meeting; shall have to pray and read the Bible. It is so very different from what I thought.”
“Why, James, what do you mean?” I exclaimed. “You do go to church and to prayer-meeting; you do read the Bible and pray; you do try to walk just right, do you not?”
“Oh! yes,” answered James, looking up with a bright smile, “but then I love to do them. That makes all the difference! I love Jesus, and I love to do as he wishes me to.”
Yes, love does make all the difference.
“Love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Guarding the Milk.
A ROMANIST peasant in Ireland had obtained a copy of the Bible. It came to the knowledge of the priest, who endeavored to convince him that he had no right to have the Holy Book in his possession. Among other things, he told him “he had no business with the Bible, for St. Peter said that it was not the word, but the milk of the word, that he ought to have,” and he referred to 1 Pet. 2:2, in confirmation of his remark.
The poor man replied with a spice of Irish wit, “I know that well, your riverence, but for fear the milk should be spoiled, I like to keep the cow that gives it with me in the house.”—Sel.
The Blessings of Hygiene.
By JOS. CLARKE
It is universally admitted that good health is the greatest of all earthly possessions; and that without this priceless gift, all other advantages are powerless to procure happiness.
The wasted invalid may own untold wealth, may be surrounded by fond friends and dear relations who are unwearied in their efforts to alleviate his pains, may possess the most valued talents and virtues, may be on the road to honor and fame, yet without health he is unhappy and miserable.
Such a one looks with envy upon the poor laborer who, from morn till night, exerts all his strength to earn the allowance which is necessary to supply his little ones; for the health enjoyed by the laborer brings him more real happiness, without wealth, or learning, or fame, than all these bring the invalid, without health.
If, then, there is a system of life which will procure the blessing of health, all should know of this system; and those who do realize the truth of such a system, should be zealous, not only to defend but to propagate the same, and to publish to all the good news.
Those who understand the laws of hygiene, or the laws of health, as they look around and see in how many ways these laws are violated by nearly all their associates and friends, indeed, as they feel how difficult it is for any to resist the many inducements spread out in all directions to entrap the feet of the unwary, we say, as the true disciple of reform beholds the state of affairs in this world, he must feel a missionary spirit springing up within him; and he longs for the day when all shall possess the knowledge he possesses, and the principles he advocates.
To spread these doctrines now becomes his aim; and he longs to warn the victims of appetite and passion of their danger; and he would, if possible, snatch them from the fire.
How many are borne down with needless, nay, with hurtful burdens, and taxed with expenses they are not able to bear, merely from want of the light we possess. Many are being poisoned with drugs, and poisonous medicines, and narcotics, whose strength and virtue are needed to support their families. Life, health, and strength, are worse than wasted upon what are deemed necessary medicines, or perhaps pleasant stimulants.
The more is our zeal stirred to action when we see men of learning, and talent, and influence, stand out, the unblushing advocates of tobacco, and alcohol, and poisonous drugs, and stimulants, such as tea, coffee, and unhealthy food.
Reformers are compelled to battle for those principles of right which are often and most generally violated, hence, from necessity, they often reiterate the same principles: and this being so, their opponents, not always seeing the importance of reform, will endeavor to fasten upon them the various epithets that language affords; but righteous men can afford to be misrepresented, if any can. JOS. CLARKE.
“Wanted—Persecution.”
By Editor
UNDER this heading we find the following in the Advent Christian Times, Eld. Himes’ paper, of Feb. 27, 1872. We place it on record to show the animus of the conductors of that sheet, and also for future reference. They anticipate, it would seem, sailing calmly into Heaven, unmolested, if not honored, by all men, during the times of iniquity and peril with which earth’s history is to close. They think to escape the “war” which John assures us the dragon will make upon the “remnant of the woman’s seed,” that is, the last generation of the church. Perhaps they will, but if so, it will only be because they do not belong to the remnant church, “which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Or don’t they believe there is to be any such closing period of trouble and peril as the Scriptures foretell? Or have they been willing to sacrifice consistency for the sake of indulging in a little ad captandum talk against those who are such heinous sinners as to keep the seventh day?
“Our seventh-day-keeping friends are exceedingly anxious to become martyrs. They have prophesied that they should be persecuted for keeping Saturday—be taken to prison, and perhaps killed by those who have ‘the mark of the beast,’ that is, people who observe Sunday as a day of rest and worship. Anxiously as Elijah watched for the coming rain, they await the appearance of the ‘little cloud’ which is to be the precursor of their tribulation. If a movement is made against German ‘Sabbath-breaking,’ so-called, it is hoped that now the glad day has arrived when ‘the two-horned beast’—that is the United States—will make a law that all who will not ‘worship the beast’—that is, keep Sunday, ‘the pope’s Sabbath’—shall be slain. The fact is persistently overlooked, that none of these moves are directed against Jews, or other Saturday-keepers, but against men who not only keep no Sabbath at all themselves, but disturb other people in keeping theirs. The notion of forcing all men to ‘keep Sunday’ has never been entertained in this land, and never will be. The tendency is precisely in the opposite direction.
“But the would-be persecuted hope they have found, if not the ‘little cloud,’ at least the straw, which shows the blowing of the wind that will eventually bring the cloud. A convention has been held in Cincinnati to organize measures for a religious amendment to the Federal Constitution. The character of the men engineering the movement is indicated in the fact that already two governors of States—Connecticut and Massachusetts—whose names were attached to the call for this convention as sanctioning it, have repudiated the entire movement, and declared that their names were used without their consent. This indicates the need of a religious amendment among the would-be amenders of the Constitution, whatever the Constitution itself may need. But the whole movement is absurd, and uncalled for, and will amount to nothing. Our seventh-day friends fondly hope it is the beginning of a movement which is to culminate in a Protestant ecclesiastical despotism. But we assure them there is no rain in this cloud. However, they will do well to make the most of it. Something must be done soon, or there will be a new application of an old saying—‘Every vision faileth.’”
Gideon's Army.
By R. F. Cottrell
At the sound of the war trumpet, a host of thirty-two thousand rallied to the standard of Gideon to be led against the mighty host of the Midianites. But the Lord said there were too many; he could not give the Midianites into their hands, lest they should take the glory to themselves.
So a proclamation was made, by the direction of the Lord, that whoever was fearful and afraid should depart and return home, whereon twenty-two thousand departed, leaving ten thousand. But the Lord said there were still too many; so they were brought down to the water to drink, and there the Lord chose out three hundred only to go to the battle, men that by faith could do the Lord's bidding and give him the glory and praise of saving them from the mighty host of their enemies.
At the sounding of the proclamation, “The hour of his Judgment is come,” a mighty host was rallied in expectation of the second advent. But the great disappointment of 1844 came, and the fearful and faint-hearted returned to their former homes. Still there remained a respectable force who would not quit the field. But when they were directed to the waters of truth, and tested by the commandments of God, but a small handful were found to commence the mightiest work in the history of the Church—that of proclaiming the last fearful warning of probationary time. May that few ever humbly give God the praise and glory due to his name, and may they live to see the glorious victory achieved. And may you, dear reader, and the writer, share in the glory soon to be revealed.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Mutual Obligation.—No. 2.
By John Norton Loughborough
TO THE CHURCHES IN CALIFORNIA: Before receiving this, you will all doubtless have read my former article on this subject, in No. 5, of the present volume of the Review. Those who read carefully Bro. White’s articles on “Mutual Obligation” can see clearly that in all the mutual relations existing among men there are obligations to each other, growing out of those relations. This is most emphatically true in the church. So Paul admonished the Galatians to bear one another’s burdens, and “so fulfil the law of Christ.” In writing to the Romans, he makes the broad statement: “None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” Every one has an influence for good or for evil. In our associations with our fellow-men, we are either gathering with Christ or scattering abroad. It is best for us to know our relations and our obligations, and seek to discharge them in such a manner that we shall indeed “live unto the Lord.” What can that be but devoting our time, our strength, and our means, in that manner that shall “gather with Christ”?
Do we make the cause of God “first” in all our plans and devisings for the expenditure of means? Do we keep the different enterprises that have as their object the wider spread of this truth before us, in our thoughts, in our prayers, in our calculations? Do we plan simply for ourselves, for our own comfort and convenience, or, while thus planning, do we give the cause of God an equal place? Do we live simply to ourselves, or do we realize that we owe our all to God, and seek to “live to him” by using all we can of our substance to advance his cause, and as little as possible for self-gratification? Do we act like those who will be waiting for our Lord, or do our actions, our plans, and our financial course, show that we expect to make a long stay here? Are we “providing bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heaven, that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth”? Do we realize that all we conscientiously invest to God’s glory, for the advancement of his truth, and to help on the great work of preparing a people for the coming of the Lord, is really so much treasure laid up in Heaven?
We see how earnest men are to invest in mining stocks when a favorable lead is struck, and there is a prospect of a rise in stocks; and yet we see, too, how often they fail in their anticipations. Can we not realize that what is used to God’s glory of the means at our command, which is all soon to perish, is so much invested in a treasure in Heaven which will soon be the only valuable substance? Shall we not, in view of these facts, “make to ourselves friends (God and Christ) of the mammon of unrighteousness (the means of this world, which is the god of the unrighteous man), that, when we fail, they may receive us into everlasting habitations”?
But I trust none of you will be like a friend I met not long since, who complacently said that he “did not see but the brethren East were doing all that was necessary on book fund, &c., so we need not do anything with our means in that direction.”
I tried to make the matter plain in a former article, that we have received from the general treasury of the cause $1700 to start the work in this State, while we have placed into that treasury, at present writing, only about $196. So it must be apparent to all that there are at least $1500 of the general funds of our brethren East invested in the cause here. Under such circumstances it is not very becoming in us to let them bear all the burden of sustaining Health Institute, Publishing Association, New Missions, and the $10,000 book fund, and, last but not least, the $10,000 thank offering to the Health Institute. I believe the Lord wants us to solemnly consider these things, and act our part.
Some, who have little idea how the printing business is carried on, do not see what is wanted with any more means at the Office. When they read in the report of the Association meeting that the net value of the property of the Association above all debts is $60,893.09, they are ready to exclaim, Why, that is all that is necessary there, surely. It must be remembered that this sixty thousand is not all cash, but includes buildings, with the land they stand upon, Office fixtures, presses, engine, type, &c. And when you have said that, you have taken up the largest portion of the means, and most of the balance is invested in books.
It cannot be otherwise than that much means must lie for a time in books. Suppose, for instance, there were only twenty different kinds of books to be published, and in order to have the first kind last until you could get around again by printing them all, you needed an edition of each book of 4000 copies. You must buy all the paper for the 4000 copies of each book, which is no small item on twenty books, even averaging between such works as “Thoughts on the Revelation,” and small tracts.
Again, the type setting, press work, printing, and folding of each book in its turn, must be done at once. So you perceive there must be much means invested in publishing the truth to get out a variety of books.
Again, as the work increases there must be a larger number of copies of each work published, or the first will be reported “all gone!” long before the publishers can complete the list of books and get around to publish the first again. Twice, in the last year, have I ordered several hundred of that little tract “Elihu on the Sabbath,” and been informed that it was “out of print;” whereas it once took an edition of only two thousand of that tract to last until they could get around to print it again. The last edition issued was ten thousand copies; and I have feared by the time the Pacific Railroad was open for freight, and we order our supply for spring, they will report again, “Out of print.”
Brethren and sisters, the publishing fund must be increased. It will be increased to meet the demand of a rapidly rising message. The question is, Shall we, on this coast, act our part in raising this fund, and thus show that we feel under some obligation for what has been done for us? Shares in the Publishing Association are only $10. each. Donations can be made to the Association or to the $10,000 book fund all the way from ten dollars to one thousand dollars. All this serves to increase the publishing fund.
Then there is the General Conference Missionary Fund. As already shown, we actually owe that a debt of gratitude of $1500 for what it expended in starting the work here. If it was a good work to have the truth brought to us, it will be just as good to have others receive it. Shall we help extend it by contributing of our substance to the General Conference Treasury? Of the Health Institute I would say, I know it has been the means of bringing many to a knowledge of the truth. Persons brought under the friendly help of those connected with it, and having their bodily infirmities relieved, are anxious to learn the truth that prompts a people to act as S. D. Adventists are acting in the cause of humanity. Learning the truth, they embrace it. I baptized, on one occasion, in Battle Creek, before I left there, seven new converts, all from the Health Institute. There are many who will rejoice in God’s kingdom that ever such an Institute was established. Many of you have figured up to me what you have saved per year in doctor’s bills, tobacco, tea, coffee, &c., by what you have learned of health reform through the medium of the Health Reformer published by the Institute. Do you not wish to do a part in raising the $10,000 thank offering?
Now, dear brethren and sisters, as I have given you a faint idea of how matters stand, I trust, and expect, you will all act with that promptness with which you have acted on former occasions, and that, at least, you will do enough soon to amount to as much as the $1500 invested from General Conference funds in our behalf. And then, acting on the plan that this cause is one, and concerns us mutually, with our brethren and sisters in other fields, shall we not act our part still in the work?
Pray over these things. Is there not some self-denial, some sacrifice, some contributing of our substance, that we can make to advance the light of this glorious truth? May God help us to lay these things to heart, and act promptly, and in the fear of God.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
A New Argument against the Sabbath.
By D. T. Bourdeau
ELD. VICAR, a Baptist preacher, opposed us on the law of God a few nights since, and among other things he claimed that the new man, which was put on at conversion, was immortal, and could not sin; but that the old man was born in sin, and would cling to us till death, and that the new man was not responsible for the deeds of the old man. He compared it to Paul's grafting process, claiming that the scion that was grafted into the tame olive tree did not bear the same fruit that the tame olive tree did!101
Thought I, what a cloak to cover sin, giving the Christian license to sin, while the sinner will have to render a strict account for his evil ways. How unlike the gospel that Paul preached when he taught that the “old man” was put off and crucified when the new man was put on. To our mind, those who preach such a doctrine as expressive of their experience, show clearly that they have never put on the new man, and have never been converted; or, if they have, they have backslidden. And how strange that some would receive such teachings in preference to indorsing the truth! As to Paul's grafting process, it was against nature; the scion of the wild olive tree, when grafted into the tame olive tree, will bear the fruit of that tree. The Gentiles, who are truly converted, will have the law of God written in their hearts, and will carry it out in their lives. Jer. 31: 31, etc. A reference was made to Paul's experience in the 7th chapter of Romans, in which he says that when he would do good, evil was present with him; that it was no more Paul that did evil, but sin that dwelt in him. But Paul, in this chapter, gives his experience in conversion while putting off the old man, “the body of this death,” from which he was delivered when he believed on Christ for pardon, and to obtain strength to fulfill the righteousness of the law, having thoroughly repented of his sins. Read Rom. 7: 7-25; 8:1-4.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Papal Infallibility.
By Editor
WE are coming to think that the infallibility dogma is a good thing. It isn’t working, to be sure, exactly as the pope designed; and that is where its value comes in. He designed to show himself infallible; but his course on this question is simply proving the prophetic scriptures infallible; for it is alienating all his national supporters, and giving a new impetus to the decadence of his influence, which the Scriptures foretold should take place in the last days. The Detroit Post, says:—
The declaration of infallibility has, in Europe, created a schism in the church, and the pope finds himself doctrinally, at least, at the head of a faction opposing the traditions of the church.
This is probably the just view to take of the situation. The pope has now no friend, as his adherents complain, on any throne in Europe. Thiers, quasi-president of a semirepublic, offered his protection; but evidently that was only an imitation and continuation of Napoleon’s policy. In accordance with his policy—borrowed from the fable of the old man and the ass—of obtaining the support of every class for his presidency, Thiers hoped to conciliate the ultramontanes. The German government will not tolerate the Jesuits. The police have already broken up an establishment at Posen, and Bismarck’s war upon them is begun in earnest.
The Catholics themselves feel that the modern world is against them. The pope in his syllabus of 1864 denounced pretty nearly everything characteristic of the age.
In Detroit, a short time ago, one of their clergy devoted the whole of a public lecture to showing that this was an age of retrogression, not of progress; and that the only hope of its salvation lay in the triumph of the Catholic church. In a recent Chicago lecture, another member of that church complains that there is scarcely a book or paper published in this country which does not fling, or sneer, at the Catholics. The Catholic religion, he said, has not a single friend among the daily newspapers, which are filled with false statements about that religion, and Catholics have no opportunity to reply to them. The New York papers have a combined circulation of half a million, and are “spreading the poison” among a million and a half or two million readers. The sectarian press is occupied in the same enterprise, and this immense power is daily used against the Roman Catholic Church.
This, perhaps, is the most notable confession of the decadence of the Catholic Church recently put on record.
An Actual Conversation.
By J. H. W.
Bro. A.Bro. B., do you think you are obeying the precept of the apostle in wearing a gold watch chain?
Bro. B. My chain is not gold.
Bro. A. Why, it looks like gold.
Bro. B. Yes, but it is only washed.
Bro. A. Well, it is a good imitation. Now do you not think it was made thus for the purpose of making people believe it was gold? And did you not suppose, when you bought it, that those who saw it would think it was gold?
Bro. B. Why, yes, it does look like gold, and I suppose it would be taken for gold by most people, at first sight.
Bro. A. Then I understand that you are not breaking the commandment laid down by the apostle; you are only pretending to break it. Now, Bro. B., pretending to serve God while you do not mean to serve him in fact is considered a bad thing, but pretending to serve Satan, while in heart you do not mean to serve him, is worse, if possible. To be a hypocrite toward God is bad enough, but to be a hypocrite toward the devil is getting pretty low.
I do not mean that these are the exact words of a conversation which I heard, but the ideas are all the same that were expressed. And is it not a fact that there is a great deal of making believe to serve the devil among those who have purposed in their hearts to serve God alone. Whenever, and in whatever, we hide our faith, or conform to the world to please the world, while yet we profess the faith of the gospel, we are really pretending to serve the devil, for the gratification of his people. It is a humiliating position to occupy, and yet it is one that is easily taken, and probably is often taken unwittingly by those who mean to be consistent and honest in their profession of religion.
The time is coming, and is very near, when every one will have to show his true colors. Persecution is a wonderful sifter, and it will doubtless open the eyes of many to their true condition who were not before aware that they had so greatly compromised their faith to gratify the enemy of their souls. Moses had once to divide the camp of Israel to know who was on the Lord's side. And again the time is near when there will be a discerning between him that serveth the Lord and him that serveth him not.
It is a good plan to “examine yourselves, prove your own selves, whether ye be in the faith.” If this self-examination be done now, if now we put ourselves to the proof, we may correct our errors and get ready for the Judgment. But if it be put off to the examination of that day, no errors can then be corrected, the unrighteous will be unrighteous still. Better be close and severe with ourselves now, than to suffer the severity of that day of wrath.
J. H. W.
Sentimentalism.
By Ellen G. White
“WISDOM’S ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.”
Those who follow the path of wisdom and holiness will not be troubled with vain regrets over misspent hours, neither will they be troubled with gloom or horror of mind, as some are, unless engaged in vain, trifling amusements.
Many cherish the impression that spirituality and devotion to God are detrimental to health. There are many professing Christians with diseased imagination who do not correctly represent the religion of the Bible. They are ever walking under a cloud. They seem to think it a virtue to complain of depression of spirits, great trials, and severe conflicts. The Saviour of men has said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” It is the duty of all to cherish the light, to walk in the light, and to encourage habitual cheerfulness of mind, that they may reflect light rather than shadows of gloom and darkness.
We take the position understandingly that godliness and righteousness do not conflict with the laws of health; but are in harmony with them. Some may teach that vain amusements and cheap nonsense are needful to cheerfulness, and to keep above despondency. This may divert the mind for the time being; but after the excitement is over, and the mind reflects, conscience arouses, and makes her voice heard, that this is not the best way to obtain health, or true happiness.
Amusements excite the mind; but depression is sure to follow. Useful labor and physical exercise will have a more healthful influence upon the mind, and will strengthen the muscles, improve the circulation, and will prove a powerful agent in the recovery of health.
“What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile; depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”
The consciousness of right-doing is the best medicine for diseased bodies and minds. The special blessing of God resting upon the receiver, is health and strength. A person whose mind is quiet and satisfied in God is in the pathway to health. To have a consciousness that the eyes of the Lord are upon us, and his ears open to hear our prayers, is a satisfaction indeed. To know that we have a never-failing Friend in whom we can confide all the secrets of the soul, is a privilege which words can never express. Those whose moral faculties are beclouded by disease are not the ones to rightly represent the Christian life, or the beauties of holiness. They are too often in the fire of fanaticism, or the water of cold indifference, or stolid gloom.
There are those who do not feel that it is a religious duty to discipline the mind to dwell upon cheerful subjects, that they may reflect light rather than darkness and gloom. This class of minds will either be engaged in seeking their own pleasure, in frivolous conversation, laughing and joking, keeping the mind continually elated with a round of amusements; or they will be depressed, having great trials and mental conflicts, which they think but few have ever experienced or can understand. These persons may profess Christianity, but they deceive their own souls. They have not the genuine article. The religion of Jesus Christ is first pure, then peaceable, full of righteousness and good fruits.
Many have fallen into the sad error which is so prevalent in this degenerate age, especially with females. They are too fond of the other sex. They love their society. Their attentions are to them flattering, and they encourage, or permit, a familiarity which does not always accord with the exhortation of the apostle, to “abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Some mingle with their religion a romantic, love-sick sentimentalism, which does not elevate, but only lowers. It is not their mind alone that is affected, but others are injured by their example and influence.
Some are naturally devotional. If they would train their mind to dwell upon elevated themes which have nothing to do with self, but are of a heavenly nature, they could yet be of use. But much of their life has been wasted in dreaming of doing some great work in the future, while present duties, though small, are neglected. They have been unfaithful. The Lord will not commit to their trust any larger work until the work now before them has been seen and performed with a ready, cheerful will.
Unless the heart is put into the work, it will drag heavily, whatever that work may be. The Lord tests our ability by giving us small duties to perform first. If we turn from these with dissatisfaction and murmuring, no more will be intrusted to us until we cheerfully take hold of these small duties, and do them well; then higher and greater responsibilities will be committed to us.
We have been intrusted with talents, not to be squandered, but to be put out to the exchangers, that, at the Master’s coming, he may receive his own with usury. God has not distributed these talents indiscriminately. He has dispensed these sacred trusts according to the known powers and capacities of his servants: “To every man his work.”
He gives impartially, and he expects corresponding returns. If all do their duty according to the measure of their responsibility, the amount intrusted to them will be doubled, be it large or small. Their fidelity is tested and proved, and their faithfulness is positive evidence of their wise stewardship, and they can be intrusted with the true riches, even the gift of everlasting life.
Many have a self-complacent feeling, flattering themselves that if they had an opportunity, or were circumstanced more favorably, they could and would do some great work. These do not view things from a correct standpoint. Their imagination is diseased, and they have permitted their minds to soar above the common duties of life. Day-dreaming and romantic castle-building have unfitted them for usefulness. They have lived in an imaginary world, and have been imaginary martyrs, and are imaginary Christians. There is nothing real and substantial in their character. This class sometimes imagine that they have an exquisite delicacy of character, and sympathetic nature, which must be recognized and responded to by others. They put on an appearance of languor and indolent ease, and frequently think that they are not appreciated. Their sick fancy is not helping themselves or others. Appropriate labor, and healthy exercise of all their powers, would withdraw their thoughts from themselves.
Despondent feelings are frequently the result of too much leisure. The hands and mind should be occupied in useful labor, lightening the burdens of others; and in doing this, they will benefit themselves. Idleness gives time to brood over imaginary sorrows. If they do not in reality have hardships and trials, they will be sure to borrow them from the future. God, by his prophet Ezekiel, addresses Jerusalem thus: “Behold this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness, was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.”
Invalids should not allow themselves to drop down into an inactive state. This is detrimental to health. The power of the will should be brought into action. And, even if some dread exercise, which involves responsibility, they should train their minds to it. Exercise is what they most need to recover health. They can never obtain health unless they overcome this listless, dreamy condition of mind, and arouse themselves to action.
There is much deception carried on under the cover of religion. Passion controls the minds of many who have become depraved through perversion of thought and feeling. These deceived souls flatter themselves that they are spiritually minded, and especially consecrated, when their religious experience is composed of a lovesick sentimentalism, rather than of purity, true goodness, and humiliation of self. The mind should be drawn away from self, and exercised in blessing others, and being elevated by good works. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” True religion ennobles the mind, refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, and makes its possessor partaker of the purity, and the influence of Heaven, brings angels near, and separates more and more from the spirit and influence of the world.—E. G. W., in Health Reformer.