20
A Solemn Appeal
Here is the true knowledge, which should be desired and possessed
by every Christian. This knowledge will not lead to ungodliness. It
will not break down the constitution, nor bring a gloomy cloud over
the mind; but will impart substantial joys and true happiness. This
wisdom is divine, and flows ceaselessly from a pure fountain which
gives peace, joy, and health.
Even many professed Christians seem to have no earnest desire
for this heavenly knowledge, and remain in willing ignorance of this
divine grace which it is their privilege to obtain. The only safety for
the youth is to seek this precious wisdom, which will assuredly destroy
all desire for corrupt knowledge. And when they have acquired a relish
for the pure, calm, satisfying joys of faith and holiness, every feeling
of their being will rise in abhorrence to corrupting pleasures. All can
choose life if they will. They can resist sin, take pleasure in the ways
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of righteousness and true holiness, and be rewarded with eternal life
in God’s everlasting kingdom.
If they choose to corrupt their ways before the Lord, defile their
own bodies and commit self-murder, they can do so; but they should
remember that the judgment is to sit, and the books are to be opened,
and they are to be judged out of those things which are written in the
books, according to their works. What a fearful, spotted record will be
opened before them, of their secret thoughts, and vile acts. Sentence
is pronounced upon them, and they are shut out from the city of God,
with the ungodly, and miserably perish with the wicked.
Now is the time of preparation. None need to expect that God will
do the work of preparing and fitting them up, without their efforts.
It is for them to work the works of righteousness, and crowd all the
right-doing they can into the little space of time allotted to them before
probation closes, that they may have a clean record in Heaven. I close
with the entreaty of the prophet, “Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil
ways; for why will ye die?”
Ezekiel 33:11
.
E. G. W.
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