Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

466 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[504]Religion will prove to the believer a comforter, a sure guide to theFountain of true happiness. The young should study the word of Godand give themselves to meditation and prayer, and they will find thattheir spare moments cannot be better employed. Young friends, youshould take time to prove your own selves, whether you are in the loveof God. Be diligent to make your calling and election sure. It dependsupon your own course of action whether you secure to yourselves thebetter life.Wisdom’s “ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths arepeace.” The future abode of the righteous and their everlasting rewardare high and ennobling themes for the young to contemplate. Dwellupon the marvelous plan of salvation, the great sacrifice made by theKing of glory that you might be elevated through the merits of Hisblood and by obedience finally be exalted to the throne of Christ. Thissubject should engage the noblest contemplation of the mind. To bebrought into favor with God—what a privilege! To commune withHim—what can more elevate, refine, and exalt us above the frivolouspleasures of earth? To have our corrupt natures renovated by grace,our lustful appetites and animal propensities in subjection, to standforth with noble, moral independence, achieving victories every day,will give peace of conscience which can arise alone from rightdoing.Young friends, I saw that with such employment and diversion asthis you might be happy. But the reason why you are restless is, you donot seek to the only true source for happiness. You are ever trying tofind out of Christ that enjoyment which is found only in Him. In Himare no disappointed hopes. Prayer, oh, how is this precious privilegeneglected! The reading of the word of God prepares the mind forprayer. One of the greatest reasons why you have so little dispositionto draw nearer to God by prayer is, you have unfitted yourselves forthis sacred work by reading fascinating stories which have excited theimagination and aroused unholy passions. The word of God becomesdistasteful, the hour of prayer is forgotten. Prayer is the strength of theChristian. When alone he is not alone; he feels the presence of Onewho has said: “Lo, I am with you alway.”The young want just what they have not; namely, religion. Nothingcan take the place of this. Profession alone is nothing. Names areregistered upon the church books upon earth, but not in the book oflife. I saw that there is not one in twenty of the youth who knows