Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Address to the Young 465The consciousness of rightdoing is the best medicine for diseasedbodies and minds. The special blessing of God resting upon the receiveris health and strength. A person whose mind is quiet andsatisfied in God is in the pathway to health. To have a consciousnessthat the eyes of the Lord are upon us and His ears open to our prayersis a satisfaction indeed. To know that we have a never-failing Friendin whom we can confide all the secrets of the soul is a privilege whichwords can never express. Those whose moral faculties are becloudedby disease are not the ones to rightly represent the Christian life or thebeauties of holiness. They are too often in the fire of fanaticism or thewater of cold indifference or stolid gloom. The words of Christ areof more worth than the opinions of all the physicians in the universe:“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all thesethings shall be added unto you.” This is the first great object—thekingdom of heaven, the righteousness of Christ. Other objects to beattained should be secondary to these.Satan will present the path of holiness as difficult while the pathsof worldly pleasure are strewed with flowers. In false and flatteringcolors will the tempter array the world with its pleasures before you. [503]Vanity is one of the strongest traits of our depraved natures, and heknows that he can appeal to it successfully. He will flatter you throughhis agents. You may receive praise which will gratify your vanity andfoster in you pride and self-esteem, and you may think that with suchadvantages and attractions it really is a great pity for you to come outfrom the world and be separate, and become a Christian, to forsakeyour companions, and be alike dead to their praise or censure. Satantells you that with the advantages which you possess you could to ahigh degree enjoy the pleasures of the world. But consider that thepleasures of earth will have an end, and that which you sow you mustalso reap. Are personal attractions, ability, or talents too valuable todevote to God, the Author of your being, He who watches over youevery moment? Are your qualifications too precious to devote to God?The young urge that they need something to enliven and divert themind. I saw that there is pleasure in industry, a satisfaction in pursuinga life of usefulness. Some still urge that they must have something tointerest the mind when business ceases, some mental occupation oramusement to which the mind can turn for relief and refreshment amidcares and wearing labor. The Christian’s hope is just what is needed.