318
Messages to Young People
The Master Artist
God has surrounded us with nature’s beautiful scenery to attract
and interest the mind. It is His design that we should associate the
glories of nature with His character. If we faithfully study the book of
nature, we shall find it a fruitful source for contemplating the infinite
[366]
love and power of God.
Many extol artistic skill which will produce lovely paintings upon
canvas. All the powers of the being are by many devoted to art, yet
how far short do these come of the natural. Art can never attain to
the perfection seen in nature. Many professed Christians will go into
ecstacies over the painting of an evening sunset. They worship the
skill of the artist; but they pass by with indifference the actual glorious
sunset which it is their privilege to look upon every cloudless evening.
Where does the artist obtain his design? From nature. But the great
Master Artist has painted upon heaven’s shifting, changing canvas the
glories of the setting sun. He has tinted and gilded the heavens with
gold, silver, and crimson, as though the portals of high heaven were
thrown open, that we might view its gleamings, and our imagination
take hold of the glory within. Many turn carelessly from this heavenly
wrought picture. They fail to trace the infinite love and power of God
in the surpassing beauties seen in the heavens, but are almost entranced
as they view and worship the imperfect paintings, in imitation of the
Master Artist—
The Review and Herald, July 25, 1871
.
Unfitted to Resist Temptation
Do not suppose that you can unite yourself with the amusement-
loving, the gay and pleasure-loving, and at the same time resist
temptation.—
The Signs of the Times, June 20, 1900
.
[367]