WE ARE Forming Characters for Heaven. No Character Can Be
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July 11, 1968 evitew Vol. 145 No. 28 REVIEW AND HERALD • GENERAL CHURCH PAPER OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS -4Z thiti WiSit 'as they should , Because' others re wf.97,%,: is. pp *excuse for you to no. wrong. Two wrongs W innOnaXe one right. You have- victories to gain ii order?,tall*ercome as Christ overcame. 'Christ never.. murmured, never uttered discontent, <11 ct COPYRIGHT EfJ 1968 BY THE REVIEW AND HERALD RUSSELL HARLAN-, ARTIST . displeasure, or resentnient. He was never disheart- Christ is our example in patience, forbearance, and meekness. ened, discouraged, rnitled, or fretted. He was pa- tient, calm, and self-poSsessed under the most ex- citing and trying, circumstances. All His works were E ARE forming characters for heaven. perfornied with a quiet dignity and ease, whatever- No character can be coMplete without commotion was around Him. Applause did not elate Wtrial and suffering. We must be tested,' Him. IP feared not the threats of His enemies. He we must be tried. Christ bore the test, of character, fz inovettarind. the world of excitement, of violence in our behalf that we might bear this test in our and crime, as the sun moves above the clouds. Hu- own behalf through the divine strength He has Man passions =and commotions and trials were be- hrought to us. Christ is our example in patience, neath Him. the sun above them all. in forbearance, in meekness and lowliness of mind. Yet He was nett indifferent to the woes of men. His He was at variance and at war with the whole heart was ever *0bed with the sufferings and ungodly world, yet He did not give way to passion necessities of His brethren, as though He Himself and violence. manifested in words and actions, al- was the One afflicted.'' He had .a calm inward joy, a though receiving shameful abuse in return for good peace which was serene. His 'will was ever swallowed works. He was afflicted, He was rejecte4 and despite- up in the of His Father. Not My will but Thine fully treated, yet Re retaliated not: Ile possessed be done, was heard from His' pale and quivering self-control, dignity, and majesty. HO'suffered with lips. calmness and for abuse gave only compassion, pity, We long and pray that the grace of God may and love. come into your hearts. We want;.' you to make an Imitate your Redeemer in these things. Do not entire surrender to God. May God help you , get excited when things go wrong. Do not let self all to walk hu bl nd ar II is our .prayer.# arise, and lose your self-control because you fancy Letter• 51 a, 187 git `•-" e 5e. WI Those Bewildering Teen-age OD and I have been ac- swer to the best of their ability the -w- quainted the major part of many questions about God and Cre- By HELEN K. OSWALD C.0 my life. My parents intro- ation, and as to why Jesus had to die duced to me this wonderful God, the on that cruel cross. My young heart Creator of heaven and earth, in my often cried out for a clearer under- early childhood. All through my standing of God and His marvelous younger years they kept me close to work. But I was too young. I could Him. They taught me how to walk visualize Him only faintly, and I My God and 1-1 in His ways as they understood the wished so much for a more compre- Scriptures. I gladly followed their in- hensive understanding of Him and structions. I had full confidence in His love and wisdom. As I looked their earnest endeavors to guide my up at night and saw the beautiful, young heart in ways of right. I loved silvery moon and the twinkling stars them and appreciated their counsel. bedeck the sky, I wished I could step HARRY BAERG, ARTIST I was taught that obedience to God beyond the starry sphere and become and parents was heaven's first law; personally acquainted with God and that it was the foundation for our His beloved Son, who made all the happiness in this life and the life to beauties of the sky. During the day, come. Following this law, happiness as I beheld the warm, golden sun, and contentment indeed were mine. the fleecy clouds, and nature's beauty My parents were always ready to an- around me, I yearned the more for r4, God had been the author's companion in childhood, but when she reached the teen-age years she became indifferent to religion. ers and sisters worried about my atti- passed vividly through my mind as tude. Although during those bewil- the family sang the rest of the song. dering years I gave no heed to God's I felt the tugging of something at my tender callings, yet, when in danger, heart, but I repressed it. Years I silently coveted Heaven's protec- Soon we were all at work, laugh- tion. It was a perplexing life—I had ing and chattering as always. Our no anchor, no aim. I was just a piece hearts were young and carefree. We of driftwood washed about on the loved life and we blossomed with seas of time. health and happiness. a more complete knowledge of the One early foggy morning as I be- Months went by, and the beautiful heavenly Beings. gan to do my part of the morning spring had turned into summer, and Father operated a large farm, so chores, I heard dear mother's voice with it came the heavy duties on the there was opportunity to learn many coming from the orchard some dis- farm. Father had a bumper crop, and interesting things from nature. I tance from the house. She chose to harvest was on. Everyone worked loved the faithful horses, the gentle bring her burdens to God out there hard during the week, but on Sun- cows, the watchful dogs, and the alone. I moved closer, but stayed -days we rested. This gave us young many other creatures that added to hidden behind some trees. I wanted people time to visit our neighbors. the interest and joy of our quiet farm to find out why mother was weeping. One Sunday we had an especially life. The birds sang sweetly as they She mentioned each of the children's enjoyable afternoon at a neighbor- lived among the beautiful trees all names, committing each one ten- hood gathering. We danced and around us. Everything seemed won- derly to God's care and keeping. played games and sang lively com- derful, and my young life flowed on, Then she became silent. I waited a munity songs. We returned home in on wings of song. moment, wondering if she had for- time to do the evening chores. Fa- My brothers and sisters meant gotten me in her prayer. Perhaps she ther had gone to town to see some much to me. We always had whole- thought it useless to pray for me, I of his friends. Mother had stayed some pastimes, and my life seemed reasoned. In that silent moment, home to rest her weary feet. Father complete. There was nothing to lure which seemed an hour, I could hear returned in time for supper. us from father and mother and home. her sob until tears came to my eyes. During the meal he told us about But time marched on, and erelong Then came the burden of her heart. a large tent that had been erected I entered the perplexing years of the My name was presented before God in town. We all joyfully questioned: early teens. Something was taking in deepest tenderness. "0 God, speak "Is there going to be a circus?" Fa- place inside me that I could not un- to her bewildered heart. Thou art ther laughed and said, "That is what derstand. I was amazed. A dazzling able to save." I thought, too, when I saw the tent, vision opened up before me, and I Feelings of Guilt but I was soon straightened out on was baffled. I did not now know that. I was told that three holy young what really was right. The sparkling I felt distressed. What should I do? preachers are going to preach in that allurements and worldly pleasures Quietly I slipped away and left tent, and their first meeting is to- began to drown some of my child- mother there in the garden alone night, just two hours from now. hood tenderness and desires to follow with God, where the early morning Would you like to hear them?" my Lord. The cheerful and enticing air was perfumed by the blossoming The answer came in one joyful voices of my new young friends com- fruit trees. I hastened to fetch water chorus, "Yes, yes!" In no time the pletely captured my interests. I from the well and filled the woodbox dishes were washed and everything wanted to mingle with them and en- with firewood to ease her work, hop- was taken care of. We were all filled joy the enchanting sounds of worldly ing that this extra help would cheer with curiosity. On the way to town music and song. The enjoyments that mother somewhat. Soon she returned we talked and laughed about the were opening up to me were most to her many duties for her large fam- strange things we thought we were thrilling and fascinating. ily. In no time a steaming breakfast about to see and hear. Church in a Religion began to become of mi- was on the table.