Address to the Young
465
The consciousness of rightdoing is the best medicine for diseased
bodies and minds. The special blessing of God resting upon the re-
ceiver 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 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. The words of Christ are
of more worth than the opinions of all the physicians in the universe:
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you.” This is the first great object—the
kingdom of heaven, the righteousness of Christ. Other objects to be
attained should be secondary to these.
Satan will present the path of holiness as difficult while the paths
of worldly pleasure are strewed with flowers. In false and flattering
colors will the tempter array the world with its pleasures before you.
[503]
Vanity is one of the strongest traits of our depraved natures, and he
knows that he can appeal to it successfully. He will flatter you through
his agents. You may receive praise which will gratify your vanity and
foster in you pride and self-esteem, and you may think that with such
advantages and attractions it really is a great pity for you to come out
from the world and be separate, and become a Christian, to forsake
your companions, and be alike dead to their praise or censure. Satan
tells you that with the advantages which you possess you could to a
high degree enjoy the pleasures of the world. But consider that the
pleasures of earth will have an end, and that which you sow you must
also reap. Are personal attractions, ability, or talents too valuable to
devote to God, the Author of your being, He who watches over you
every moment? Are your qualifications too precious to devote to God?
The young urge that they need something to enliven and divert the
mind. I saw that there is pleasure in industry, a satisfaction in pursuing
a life of usefulness. Some still urge that they must have something to
interest the mind when business ceases, some mental occupation or
amusement to which the mind can turn for relief and refreshment amid
cares and wearing labor. The Christian’s hope is just what is needed.