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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
service; but He assures us that all needed blessings will be ours, with
“persecutions,” and in the world to come “life everlasting.” Nothing
less than entire consecration to His service will Christ accept. This is
the lesson which every one of us must learn.
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Those who study the Bible, counsel with God, and rely upon Christ
will be enabled to act wisely at all times and under all circumstances.
Good principles will be illustrated in actual life. Only let the truth
for this time be cordially received and become the basis of character,
and it will produce steadfastness of purpose, which the allurements of
pleasure, the fickleness of custom, the contempt of the world-loving,
and the heart’s own clamors for self-indulgence are powerless to influ-
ence. Conscience must be first enlightened, the will must be brought
into subjection. The love of truth and righteousness must reign in the
soul, and a character will appear which heaven can approve.
We have marked illustrations of the sustaining power of firm, re-
ligious principle. Even the fear of death could not make the fainting
David drink of the water of Bethlehem, to obtain which, valiant men
had risked their lives. The gaping lions’ den could not keep Daniel
from his daily prayers, nor could the fiery furnace induce Shadrach and
his companions to fall down before the idol which Nebuchadnezzar set
up. Young men who have firm principles will eschew pleasure, defy
pain, and brave even the lions’ den and the heated fiery furnace rather
than be found untrue to God. Mark the character of Joseph. Virtue was
severely tested, but its triumph was complete. At every point the noble
youth endured the test. The same lofty, unbending principle appeared
at every trial. The Lord was with him, and His word was law.
Such firmness and untarnished principle shines brightest in contrast
with the feebleness and inefficiency of the youth of this age. With
but few exceptions, they are vacillating, varying with every change of
circumstance and surroundings, one thing today and another tomorrow.
Let the attractions of pleasure or selfish gratification be presented, and
conscience will be sacrificed to gain the coveted indulgence. Can such
a person be trusted? Never! In the absence of temptation he may carry
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himself with such seeming propriety that your doubts and suspicions
appear unjust; but let opportunity be presented, and he will betray your
confidence. He is unsound at heart. Just at the time when firmness and
principle are most required, you will find him giving way; and if he