Address to the Young
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for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Peter exhorts the churches to “be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he
may devour.” “The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober,
and watch unto prayer.” Again he says: “But sanctify the Lord God
in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man
that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and
fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you,
as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good
conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye
suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing.”
Are the youth in a position where they can with meekness and
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fear give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of their hope? I
saw that the youth greatly fail of understanding our position. Terrible
scenes are just before them, a time of trouble which will test the value
of character. Those who have the truth abiding in them will then be
developed. Those who have shunned the cross, neglected the word of
life, and paid adoration to their own poor selves will be found wanting.
They are ensnared by Satan, and will learn too late that they have
made a terrible mistake. The pleasures they have sought after prove
bitter in the end. Said the angel: “Sacrifice all for God. Self must
die. The natural desires and propensities of the unrenewed heart must
be subdued.” Flee to the neglected Bible; the words of inspiration
are spoken to you; pass them not lightly by. You will meet every
word again, to render an account whether you have been a doer of the
work, shaping your life according to the holy teachings of God’s word.
Holiness of heart and life are necessary. All who have taken the name
of Christ and have enlisted in His service should be good soldiers of
the cross. They should show that they are dead to the world, and that
their life is hid with Christ in God.
Paul writes to his Colossian brethren as follows: “If ye then be
risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with
Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall
ye also appear with Him in glory.” “And above all these things put
on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of