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| Many are laying up their treasure in these secret societies, and can we not see that their heart is there? However powerful may be the evidences of truth, little by little it loses its brightness, loses its force, heaven fades from the mind, the eternal weight of glory, the gift of God for a life of obedience, appears a matter unworthy of notice in comparison with the supposed benefits to be realized in laying up earthly treasure. Souls are starving for the bread and water of life; but what is that to him whose heart is set on this world? Many a man is saying by his actions, if not in words, "I cannot let go my interest in these earthly treasures, to secure that which is eternal. The life to come is too remote for me to count upon. I choose the earthly goods, and I will run the risk of the future. God is good and merciful." Slothful servant! your portion is just as surely appointed with hypocrites and unbelievers as you continue to pursue this course. The fascination of the club room, the suppers, and the world-loving associates, has led, as did Belshazzar's feast, to forgetfulness of God and dishonoring of His name. {2SM 135.2} |
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| God is good, and greatly to be praised. His mercies have been freely bestowed upon us. He has surrounded us with tokens of His love. The heathen may rage and imagine vain things, but the Lord is unchangeable. He has made the strength of the everlasting hills to be a safe retreat for His people. He has prepared the mountains and the caves for His oppressed and persecuted children. We may sing, "God is our refuge and strength in time of trial." He who made the towering mountains, the everlasting hills--to Him we may look. -- Manuscript 100, Aug. 20, 1898, "Through Nature to Nature's God." {TDG 241.4} |
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| We feel deeply our need of God and our need of wisdom. We believe; and the faith that works by love purifies the soul. I do not wish to devote time to writing of the objectionable part of our journey. We have no time for that. God is good. He is full of loving kindness and tender mercy, and I praise Him because He is good. My heart is drawn out after God. He is of tender kindness alway. Now let us be like Jesus, and it will save us much trouble. Let everything be done in order and harmony, and this can only be where self is hid with Christ in God. This fact must be established, that every faculty is to be cultivated and brought into most earnest exercise, and then we shall increase our talents by using them. May God help His people to learn of Him meekness and lowliness of heart. {AUCR, November 1, 1900 par. 2} |
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| Not alone in daily association with believers and unbelievers are we to glorify God by speaking often one to another in words of gratitude and rejoicing. As Christians, we are exhorted not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, for our own refreshing, and to impart the consolation we have received. In these meetings, held from week to week, we should dwell upon God's goodness and manifold mercies, upon His power to save from sin. In features, in temper, in words, in character, we are to witness that the service of God is good. Thus we proclaim that "the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." {RC 220.4} |
