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Visiting with One Another, July 22
Family Companionship
Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the
Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was
written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought
upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in
that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a
man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Malachi 3:16, 17
We have an individual accountability to God, an individual work
which no one can do for us. It is to make the world better by precept,
personal effort, and example. While we should cultivate sociability, let
it not be merely for amusement, but for a purpose. There are souls to
save.... Our intercourse with others should be characterized by sobriety
and heavenly-mindedness. Our conversation should be upon heavenly
things....
What is more worthy to engross the mind than the plan of redemp-
tion? It is a subject that is exhaustless. The love of Jesus, the salvation
offered to fallen man through His infinite love, holiness of heart, the
precious, saving truth for these last days, the grace of Jesus Christ—these
are subjects which may animate the soul and cause the pure in heart to
feel that joy that the disciples felt when Jesus came and walked with
them as they traveled toward Emmaus. He who has centered his affec-
tions upon Christ will relish this kind of hallowed association and will
gather divine strength by such intercourse.... When the truth of God is
an abiding principle in the heart, it will be like a living spring. Attempts
may be made to repress it, but it will gush forth in another place; it is
there, and cannot be headed off. The truth in the heart is a wellspring of
life. It refreshes the weary, restrains the vile thought and utterance, and
makes all flourishing.... Their happiness will ... be ... in Jesus and His
love.
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