God calls upon us to work for him in a world of sin, where men are given to idolatry. They have no thought of their obligations to their Creator. They act as if they had created themselves and their blessings. God bestows his bounties upon the evil and upon the good. To all he gives sunshine and showers of rain. He carefully watches the seed put into the soil, that from it may spring the living germ. But very few have any realization of the blessings bestowed on them from day to day. Still less do they realize the greatness of the gift of God's only begotten Son. If they only comprehended the sacrifice made in order that our world might be blessed with the light of truth, how many conversions would be made in a day! How many would rally around the standard of the Redeemer!
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 1)
Are we, as members of the Lord's family, striving to be among the number who shall walk with him in white, because he finds in them true obedience? The testimony of the one who strives earnestly for the crown of life may be, I study for eternity. His steady purpose will not only aid himself, but will help others to practise industry. The Lord will co-operate with the worker who puts his heart into the work, who walks in all humility of mind. Such a worker will work in the love and fear of God. A sense of the gratitude due to God will lead him to improve every opportunity for expressing thanksgiving, which will be accepted as a testimony of loyalty. Faithfulness toward God in the performance of good works will bring God's blessing. As we show ourselves faithful in fulfilling our trust, our influence leads others to do likewise. They are filled with thanksgiving and praise to God as the one to whom praise is due. Those who are not with us in the faith are given a practical evidence of the power of the truth to sanctify the naturally selfish heart.
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 2)
By earnest, faithful work the gospel is to be carried to regions beyond, to cities and towns, into the highways and byways; and as souls are converted, let all glory be given to God. “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” Earnest efforts should be made to present before men and women the example that Christ has left them in his life of sacrifice. He laid aside his royal robe and kingly crown, and yielding up his high position as Commander of the heavenly host, he clothed his divinity with humanity, and for our sake became poor, that we through his poverty might come into possession of eternal riches.
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 3)
Paul writes to Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” Who will take these words into the inmost soul, and for Christ's sake, for their soul's sake, awake to the perils that are threatening all who fail to find refuge in Christ?
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 4)
The apostle continues, “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 5)
Christ declares, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Those who have on the wedding garment, the robe of Christ's righteousness, will not question whether they should lift the cross, and follow in the footsteps of the Saviour. Willingly and cheerfully they will obey his commands. Souls are perishing out of Christ. How inconsistent, then, is all striving after position and wealth. How feeble are the motives which Satan may present, which selfishness and ambition can furnish, in comparison with the lessons which Christ has given in his word! How worthless the reward the world offers beside that offered by our Heavenly Father!
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 6)
John writes, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying to me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 7)
“Unto the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels....
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 8)
“Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 9)
These words are being fulfilled today. Read and understand the revealed truth of God. A heavenly Watcher marks our words and deportment, and reads the motives that prompt us to action. We have no time now to be idle and indifferent. We must strive to develop a Christian character. Our spiritual understanding must be cleansed, purified, sanctified, and ennobled. All are now taking sides. It is ours now to choose a blessing or a curse. Now is the time for us to purify our minds by obeying the truth.
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 10)
Christ is to be our example in all things. He alone has the power to reclaim truth from the rubbish under which it had been buried, causing it to shine forth in its original loveliness. In his parables, in order that he might awaken interest and sympathy, he drew his illustrations from the things of nature. Plucking a lily in its glowing beauty, he said, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” In all his teaching, Christ sought to impress his hearers with the fact that all true knowledge leads heavenward, that all nature's lessons, rightly understood and interpreted, are the lessons of the Creator.
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 11)
The ministers of Christ are, in a special sense, stewards of the mysteries of God. There is a great work to be done in our world, and Christian educators are needed, men and women who are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. These can enter cities and towns, and there plant the standard of truth, glorifying God by humility and faith, by a faithful performance of every duty. In the work to be done in the Lord's vineyard discouragements will come, but these may prove instructive to the worker, teaching him to wait patiently, and endure trial nobly. Those who keep God's glory in view will not fail nor be discouraged.
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 12)
The Lord needs men who are true, who will not seek for promotion, whose course of action is marked by self-sacrifice. The nature of our trust demands that self be lost in Christ; that in the daily life we seek to imitate in the very best way possible the Christ-life. All sin, from the least to the greatest, may be overcome by the Holy Spirit's power. God desires us to lift up the Saviour as one who has been crucified among us. We are to think and talk of Christ, praising and magnifying his name. As servants of God we need to put away all self-importance, and abide in Christ, taking not one jot or tittle of credit to ourselves. If we are abiding in Christ, we shall reveal him in character. Thus we become channels through which God can communicate light. We are made workers together with God.
(RH September 19, 1899, Art. A, 13)
Christianity in the Marriage Relation
EGW
Those professing to be Christians should not enter the marriage relation until the matter has been carefully and prayerfully considered from an elevated standpoint, to see if God can be glorified by the union. Then they should duly consider the result of every privilege of the marriage relation, and sanctified principle should be the basis of every action.
(RH September 19, 1899, 1)
Before increasing their family, they should take into consideration whether God would be glorified or dishonored by their bringing children into the world. During every year of their married life, they should seek to glorify God by their union. They should calmly consider what provision can be made for their children. They have no right to bring children into the world to be a burden to others. Have they a business that they can rely upon to sustain a family, so that they need not become a burden to others? If they have not, they commit sin in bringing children into the world to suffer for want of proper care, food, and clothing.
(RH September 19, 1899, 2)
In this fast, corrupt age, these things are not considered. Lustful passion bears sway, and will not submit to control, although feebleness, misery, and death are the result of its reign. Women are forced to a life of hardship, pain, and suffering, because of the uncontrollable passions of men who bear the name of husband—more rightly could they be called brutes. Mothers drag out a miserable existence, with children in their arms nearly all the time, managing every way to put bread into their mouths, and clothes upon their backs. Such accumulated misery fills the world.
(RH September 19, 1899, 3)
There is but little real, genuine, devoted, pure love. This precious article is very rare. Passion is termed love. Many a woman has had her fine and tender sensibilities outraged, because the marriage relation allowed him whom she called husband to be brutal in his treatment of her. His love she found to be of so base a quality that she became disgusted.
(RH September 19, 1899, 4)
Very many families are living in a most unhappy state, because the husband and father allows the animal in his nature to predominate over the intellectual and moral. The result is that a sense of languor and depression is frequently felt, but the cause is seldom divined as being the result of their own improper course of action. We are under solemn obligations to God to keep the spirit pure and the body healthy, that we may be a benefit to humanity, and render to God perfect service. The apostle utters these words of warning: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” He urges us onward by telling us that “every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.” He exhorts all who call themselves Christians to present their “bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” He says, “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.”
(RH September 19, 1899, 5)
The Lord has given me a view of some of the corruptions everywhere existing. Wickedness, crime, and sensuality exist even in high places. Even in the churches professing to keep God's commandments there are sinners and hypocrites. It is sin, not trial and suffering, which separates God from his people, and renders the soul incapable of enjoying and glorifying him. It is sin that is destroying souls. Sin and vice exist in Sabbath-keeping families. Moral pollution has done more than every other evil to cause the race to degenerate. It is practised to an alarming extent, and brings on disease of almost every description.
(RH September 19, 1899, 6)
Parents do not generally suspect that their children understand anything about this vice. In very many cases the parents are the real sinners. They have abused their marriage privileges, and by indulgence have strengthened their animal passions. And as these have strengthened, the moral and intellectual faculties have become weak. The spiritual has been overborne by the brutish. Children are born with the animal propensities largely developed, the parents’ own stamp of character having been given to them. The unnatural action of the sensitive organs produces irritation. They are easily excited, and momentary relief is experienced in exercising them. But the evil constantly increases. The drain upon the system is sensibly felt. The brain force is weakened, and memory becomes deficient. Children born to these parents will almost invariably take naturally to the disgusting habits of secret vice. The marriage covenant is sacred; but what an amount of lust and crime it covers! Those who feel at liberty, because married, to degrade their bodies by beastly indulgence of the animal passions, will have their degraded course perpetuated in their children. The sins of the parents will be visited upon their children, because the parents have given them the stamp of their own lustful propensities.
(RH September 19, 1899, 7)
Many parents do not obtain the knowledge that they should in the married life. They are not guarded lest Satan take advantage of them, and control their minds and their lives. They do not see that God requires them to control their married lives from all excesses. But very few feel it to be a religious duty to govern their passions. They have united themselves in marriage to the object of their choice, and therefore reason that marriage sanctifies the indulgence of the baser passions. Even men and women professing godliness give loose rein to their lustful passions, and have no thought that God holds them accountable for the expenditure of vital energy, which weakens their hold on life, and enervates the entire system.
(RH September 19, 1899, 8)
The marriage covenant covers sins of the darkest hue. Men and women professing godliness debase their own bodies through the indulgence of the corrupt passions, and thus lower themselves beneath the brute creation. They abuse the powers that God has given them to be preserved in sanctification and honor. Health and life are sacrificed upon the altar of base passion. The higher, nobler powers are brought into subjection to the animal propensities. Those who thus sin are not acquainted with the result of their course. Could all see the amount of suffering that they bring upon themselves by their own sinful indulgence, they would be alarmed; and some, at least, would shun the course of sin that brings such dreaded wages. So miserable an existence is entailed upon a large class that death would be preferable to life; and many do die prematurely, their lives sacrificed in the inglorious work of excessive indulgence of the animal passions. Yet because they are married, they think they commit no sin.
(RH September 19, 1899, 9)
Men and women, you will one day learn what is lust, and the result of its gratification. Passion of just as base a quality may be found in the marriage relation as outside of it. The apostle Paul exhorts husbands to love their wives “even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”“So ought men to love their wives as their bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.” It is not pure love that actuates a man to make his wife an instrument to minister to his lust: it is the animal passions, which clamor for indulgence. How few men show their love in the manner specified by the apostle: “Even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might [not pollute it, but] sanctify and cleanse it,”“that it should be holy and without blemish.” In the marriage relation, this is the quality of love that God recognizes as holy. Love is a pure and holy principle; but lustful passion will not admit of restraint, and will not be dictated to or controlled by reason. It is blind to consequences; it will not reason from cause to effect. Many women are suffering from great debility and settled disease because the laws of their being have been disregarded; nature's laws have been trampled upon. The brain nerve power is squandered by men and women, being called into unnatural action to gratify base passions; and this hideous monster—base, low passion—assumes the delicate name of love.
(RH September 19, 1899, 10)