will be accepted.
In order to render to God perfect service, you must have clear
conceptions of His requirements. You should use the most simple food,
prepared in the most simple manner, that the fine nerves of the brain be
not weakened, benumbed, or paralyzed, making it impossible for you to
discern sacred things, and to value the atonement, the cleansing blood
of Christ, as of priceless worth. “Know ye not that they which run in
a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth
the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that
by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway.”
If men, for no higher object than a wreath or perishable crown as
a reward of their ambition, subjected themselves to temperance in all
things, how much more should those be willing to practice self-denial
who profess to be seeking, not only a crown of immortal glory, but a
life which is to endure as long as the throne of Jehovah, and riches that
are eternal, honors which are imperishable, an eternal weight of glory.
Will not the inducements presented before those who are running in the
Christian race lead them to practice self-denial and temperance in all
things, that they may keep their animal propensities in subjection, keep
under the body, and control the appetite and lustful passions? Then can
they be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that
is in the world through lust.
If the exceeding precious and glorious reward promised will not lead
us to welcome greater privations and endure greater self-denial than are
cheerfully borne by worldly men
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who are seeking merely a bauble of earth, a perishable laurel which
brings honors from a few of the worldly, and hate from more, we are
unworthy of everlasting life. In the earnestness and intensity of our zeal,
perseverance, courage, energy, self-denial, and sacrifice we should as
much excel those who are engaged in any other enterprise as the object
we are seeking to attain is of higher value than theirs. The treasure we
are seeking is imperishable, eternal, immortal, all overglorious; while
that of which the worldling is in pursuit, endures but a day; it is fading,
perishable, fleeting as the morning cloud.
The cross, the cross; lift it, Brother D, and in the act of raising it you
will be astonished to find that it raises you, it supports you. In adversity,
privation, and sorrow it will be a strength and a staff to you. You will find
it all hung with mercy, compassion, sympathy, and inexpressible love. It
will prove to you a pledge of immortality. May you be able to say with
Paul: “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
The Spirit of the Lord has been striving with your wife for some
time. If you would yield all to God, she would have strength to take
her position to seek to live out the truth. If you choose to turn from the
truth, you will not go down alone; you will not only lose your own soul,
but will be the means of turning others out of the way, and the blood
of souls will be on your garments. Had you maintained your integrity,
your mother, your brother E, and one who now hovers over the brink of
the grave, might now be enjoying the consolation of the Spirit of God
and have a good experience in the truth. Ever bear in mind that we
are accountable for the influence we exert. Our influence gathers with
Christ or scatters abroad. We are either helping souls in the narrow path
of holiness or we are a hindrance, a stumbling block to
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them, turning them out of the way. You, my much-esteemed brother,
have no time to lose. Be in earnest to redeem the time, because the days
are evil. Your associates, those whose company you have chosen, have
been a hindrance to you. Come out from among them, and be separate.
Draw near to God, and come into closer union with His people. Let your
interest and your affections center in Christ and His followers. Love
those best who love Christ most. Sever the links which have bound you
to those who love not God and the truth. What communion hath light
with darkness? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
You are in imminent danger of making shipwreck of faith. You need
all the strength which you can obtain from the people of God, those
who possess hope, courage, and faith. But do not neglect prayer, secret
prayer. Be instant in prayer; encourage a spirit of true devotion. In your
business career you have a work to do. Just what, I am unable to tell
you; but something is wrong. Search carefully. We are doing up work
for eternity. All our acts, all our words, are to be weighed in the balances
of the sanctuary. A just and impartial God is to determine all our cases,
every event of our life history. “He that is faithful in that which is least
is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in
much.”
Let nothing obstruct your progress in the way to everlasting life.
Your eternal interest is at stake. There must be a thorough work wrought
in you. You must be fully converted, or you will fail of heaven. But
Jesus invites you to make Him your strength, your support. He will be
to you a present help in every time of need. He will be to you as the
shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Let it not be your great anxiety
to succeed in this world, but let the burden of your soul be: How shall I
secure the better world? what have I to do to be saved?
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In saving your own soul, you save others. In lifting yourself, you lift
others. In fastening your grasp upon the truth and upon the throne of
God, you aid others to fix their trembling faith upon His promises and
His eternal throne. The position you must come into is to value salvation
dearer than earthly gain, to count everything but loss that you may win
Christ. The consecration on your part must be entire. God will admit of
no reserve, of no divided sacrifice; you can cherish no idol. You must
die to self and to the world. Renew your consecration to God daily.
Everlasting life is worth a lifelong, persevering, untiring effort.
I was shown that your brother had been convinced of the truth for
some time, but influences had held him back. His wife had hindered
him from obeying his convictions. But in her affliction she sought the
Lord, and He was found of her. Then she felt an anxiety that her husband
should embrace the truth; she repented that she had opposed him, that
her pride and love of the world had so long kept him from receiving the
truth. Like a weary child in search of rest but unable to obtain it, she
at length complied with the gracious invitation: “Come unto Me, all ye
that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Her weary,
burdened soul sought her Lord, and with repentance, humiliation, and
earnest prayer she cast her burden upon the great Burden Bearer, and
in Him found rest; she received the evidence that her humiliation and
earnest repentance were accepted of God, and that for Christ’s sake He
had forgiven her sins.
I was shown, Brother D, that you have but a short time to work.
Do up your work thoroughly, redeem the time. In your business
transactions let not a blot tarnish your Christian character. Keep your
garments unspotted from the world. Watch and pray, lest you enter
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into temptation. Temptations may be all around you, but you are not
compelled to enter
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