Issue 29, April 2013

Pilgrim Youth

Issue 29, April 2013

Pilgrim Youth

Issue 29, April 2013

Pilgrim Youth

Following On To Know the Lord

[Remarks by Mrs. E. G. White, Sanitarium, church school picnic, June 15, 1913.] I am glad to have the privilege of meeting with those that have gathered here today. I feel an earnest desire that every one of you shall be victorious in the struggle against evil. For many years I have been laboring for the salvation of souls. I began this work at a very early age, and all through my life the Lord has sustained me in telling old and young of the hope that we have in Christ. I have always had an especial interest in the youth. I see before me today those whom I know God can use if they will put their dependence in him. Children, if you will be in earnest in serving God, you will be a help to all with whom you associate. There is nothing to be ashamed of in being a Christian. It is an honor to follow the Saviour. And it is by obeying the instructions that he has given that you are to be prepared to meet him when he comes. If you will ask

God to help you to overcome what is un-Christlike in your dispositions, he will prepare you for entrance into heaven, where no sin can enter. Those who daily give the life to Jesus, and who follow on to know him, will be greatly blessed. Say, Christ gave his life for me, and I must give my life for him. If you give yourselves wholly to him, you will be conquerors in the warfare against sin. The Lord Jesus will be your helper, your support, your strength, if you will receive and obey him. To the older ones who are present, I wish to say, Set before the younger ones an example that will help them to press forward in the upward way. Remember that your words and acts have an influence upon them for good or for evil. It is unworthy a Christian to neglect to make every effort in his power to help those for whom the Saviour gave his life. Christ died that we might live, and we want to be sure that we are trying to do his will. Then we shall be acceptable to him. Angels of God will be near to help us, and we shall realize the aid of a power above ourselves. I have recently been studying what we older ones can do to make
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the best impression upon the minds student, and to lead him astray. of the youth. What can we do? Let God wants you to be constantly us study the Word, and as we have reaching higher and still higher for opportunity, talk Bible truth. As attainments that will enable you to you do this, you will find that your help others, to be an example to own mind and heart are becoming those around you. And as you do subdued. As you strive to this, the Lord will surely let his overcome everything that is blessing rest upon you. But do not displeasing to God, angels of go only halfway in your efforts to heaven will help you to exert a serve God. Do not feel that there is right influence upon those who are no need of being particular. From younger. You will not be left to the oldest to the youngest, you do stumble along in need to be particular to uncertainty, not knowing avoid evil, even the It is possible what you are doing. Power appearance of evil. It is for the youth from above will be given to be such possible for the youth to earnest you, to enable you to show be such earnest Christians to others that we have a Christians that through that through living Saviour, a Redeemer them the Lord will send them the Lord who can forgive our the truth home to those will send the transgressions. who have never known truth home to him. those who You can help the have never younger ones. You can be I was very young known him. a blessing to them, even to when I began to serve the very young. And when the Lord. I am now Christ shall come in the clouds of eighty-five years old. In my heaven, he will say: You have childhood affliction came to me, followed on to know me. I and I have been a sufferer all my acknowledge you as my servants. life. But the Lord has been my You will have light in the Lord, strength to do his service, and I and the glory of the Lord will be have been able to speak again and your rearward. again to congregations numbering thousands of people. For a great To these students I would say, many years I have been engaged in Do not think it is an amusing thing active labor, speaking to the people to take advantage of a fellow and writing out the instruction
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Pilgrim Youth

opened before me. At times understand all your difficulties; and sickness has come upon me, and if in meekness you will give up then I would cast my helpless soul your own way for Christs way, upon Jesus Christ, and say: Thou taking his yoke cheerfully, you will knowest, Lord, that I have chosen find that he will give you daily thee as my Redeemer. Give me not strength to overcome. As I see you only spiritual strength, but physical all here, the thought comes to me, strength, that I may follow on to Shall I meet them in the kingdom know thee. And the Lord has of heaven? What a meeting that never forsaken me. Always he has will be when the redeemed are been my helper, as he will be gathered home, saved, yours if you will trust in eternally saved. They have him. It is because I so fought the good fight. They Shall I greatly desire to work for have pressed the battle to meet the salvation of souls that the gates. They have done them in I do not give up to all in their power to help the infirmities. I am others to follow in the kingdo determined that as long as Saviours footsteps. m of God permits me to live, I heaven? will proclaim the message I know that there are of warning to the world. I many here who are trying to want my voice to reach many overcome through the blood of more before I shall give up my the Lamb and the word of their labors. I expect to have trials, but I testimony. I want to say to you, do not dread them. The Lord knows Jesus wants every one of you. He what I can bear, and he will give died that you and I might be among me strength to endure. He will those who shall wear the crown of sustain me in my weakness, life. He wants you, from the oldest enabling me to follow on, and to to the youngest, to place your know that his going forth is influence on his side. He wants prepared as the morning. your help. I pray that those who today have listened to me will lay Students, be determined that hold upon the hope set before them you will follow on to know the in the gospel. I pray that in the Lord. Remember that angels are great day of Christs coming, their beside you. They see all your voices will help to swell the song efforts against wrong. They of joy and triumph that will be
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raised by the overcomers. I beg of you, dear youth, to link up with Jesus Christ. He died on Calvarys cross for you and for me, and in his strength we may overcome. Follow on to know the Lord. If you will do this, you will win souls to Christ. Not only will your own soul be saved; the power that converts your soul will enable you to set an example that will win others to Christ. These older children can be an example to the younger ones, leading and guiding them aright, speaking a word in season to them. Thus you can be laborers together with God. I want to say to these boys, You can overcome evilevil thoughts, evil desiresby the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. We cannot afford to sin. It costs too much. May the Lord bless you all. We shall think of you and pray for you. I want to offer a word of prayer now. [Praying] Heavenly Father, we come to thee just as we are, needy and dependent. And we ask thee, Lord, that the few words spoken here today may lead those who have heard to seek with all their hearts to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Lord, wilt thou work by
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thy Spirit, and let the light of truth shine into human hearts, that souls may turn to thee, and repent and be converted, that we may meet them in the kingdom of glory. Amen.
taken

from The Youths Instructor, June 9, 1914

There is need that a reformation in many lines be seen among us. We need to let our influence be felt on the side of self-denial. If we really loved the truth, we would talk the truth; we would pray much, and study the Word of God with diligence. And this would make us living channels through which Christ could convey the message of his love and power to many hearts.
YI April 27, 1909 Par. 8

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Pilgrim Youth

A Mountain Prayer Meeting

Will you go to meeting with me this afternoon, Mabel? Come; this is your last day here; do go once before you leave the White Mountains. What do you do in meeting? asked the gay, beautiful, High Church New York belle, with just a shade of contemptuous inflection in her voice. Well,there will be no sermon; there never is in the afternoon. The good minister sits in the aisle, in front of the pulpit, and invites any one he likes to make a prayer. Any other one, who feels the need of it, may request that he or she be mentioned personally in the petition; and those who wish it may relate their experience. How very funny! All the old women speakin in meeting, and scaring themselves dreadfully. Ill go. I dare say I shall have a good laugh, if I dont fall asleep. So we walked through the long, hilly street of Bethlehem, in the pleasant hour before sunset, in the sweet, warm, hazy air of early autumn. The glory of the Lord

shone round about us; for all the mountains were burnished, splendid, gorgeous, in purple and crimson and gold. Mabels deep gray eyes grew large and luminous as her artist-soul drank in the ineffable beauty. The building was so crowded with the villagers and many visitors that it was with difficulty we obtained seats, apart from each other. Mabel found a place next to a young, sweet-faced country woman, and looked, with her flower-like face and French costume, like some rare exotic by the side of a humble mountain daisy. The minister opened the services with a few fervent, simple words, and then said, Brother , will you lead in prayer? A plain old country farmer knelt in the aisle before us. His prayer sincere, and, I doubt not, as acceptable, because sincere, as if it had been offered in polished languagemade Mabel shake with laughter. He rose, and there was utter silence for a moment. Then a high, sweet womans voice, far in front of us, sang out, clear as a bell,
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care,

Issue 29, April 2013 And bids me at my Fathers throne Make all my wants and wishes known.

Pilgrim Youth

The congregation joined in; only one verse was sung, and again the strange, solemn silence fell upon us. It was broken by the sudden rising of a lank, awkward boy, who uttered a few words in a frightened nasal whine. This time Mabel was convulsed with laughter; but the sweet singer, who saw in this utterance only the contrite soul of the speaker, burst forth triumphantly with
Oh, gift of gifts! Oh, grace of faith! My God, how can it be That thou, who hast discerning love, Shouldst give that gift to me?

Gods angelswent singing through the woods. Shall I ever forget the words?
With tearful eyes I look around; Life seems a dark and stormy sea;

She stopped, her voice breaking into a hoarse sob, when the other sweet voice immediately went on
Yet, mid the gloom, I hear a sound, A heavenly whisper,Come to me. Oh, voice of mercy! voice of love! In conflict, grief, and agony, Support me, cheer me from above! And gently whisperCome to me.

Only one verse, as before. Then the pure notes, high above all the other voices, died away, and a strange-looking woman arose. I havent any gift of language, said she, but I want to give in my testimony. Ive always been a wicked woman; Ive always gone against my conscience. Ive made my folks at home miserable for many a long year; and thats the reason God poured trouble after trouble down on me, till I was about to take my own life, when some oneit must have been one of
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I looked at Mabel. She was not laughing. A strange, awed expression rested upon her features; her head was bowed down as the sweet-faced woman at her side rose and, turning to the last speaker, said, in a low, gentle voice, My sister, we all thank our heavenly Father that he put his strong arm of protection about you while it was yet time; and since you have joined with us in profession of your faith, there has been no one more earnest in those good works without which faith is nothing. Then reverently kneeling, she prayed that God would strengthen her dear sister, and give them all love and charity, one for another,

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and his peace, which passeth all understanding. Out rang the sweet voice,
Haste thee on, from grace to glory, Armed by faith, and winged by prayer! Heavens eternal days before thee, Gods own hand shall guide thee there.

had listened with absorbed attention to all that had been said, and who now seemed strangely agitated. In a moment he arose, and then he spoke. I presume that no one here remembers a poor boy who nearly fifty years ago left this place to seek his fortune. Fatherless, motherless, with no claim upon any one here, I wandered away with a heavy heart to earn my bread. Many a time have I been exhausted, discouraged, almost hopeless; but my mother had taught me to prayher dying gift to me was her own Bible. It has gone round the world with me, and God has never forsaken me. I have long been a rich man, and I have come once more to these grand hills-my childhoods hometo testify my gratitude to my Maker for all his goodness. I never intended to speak as I am now doing; but after what I have heard and witnessed, I should be most ungrateful if I did not give my testimony and belief in the abounding love and mercy of God. O friends! Take me back! Let me be one with you in this most sweet and touching service, and when I leave you, pray that I may never be ungrateful for the earthly blessings he has heaped upon me, and for the far more priceless gift of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Mabel was now silently crying, and big tears were blinding my eyes, when a grand old man rose from his seat. Bent and feeble now, I could see that he had once been tall and stately, looking as the Puritan fathers must have looked when they first stepped upon the stern and rockbound coast at Plymouth. Fine, clean-cut features, and eyes still blue and piercing remained, but his voice trembled painfully as he said, I am ninety-four years old, and most of those I love have gone to the graveyard before me; I have lived all these years in Bethlehem, and, boy and man, have tried to serve the Lord: and I owe my blessed hope in my Saviour to the teaching and example of my good and pious mother. Then, with aged, trembling hands uplifted, he prayed that all the children present might be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Near us was a handsome, welldressed man, past middle age, who

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Pilgrim Youth

Every one had listened to the stranger in deep silence. Every heart had thrilled responsive to his words. It seemed as if the very breath of Heaven had entered into the little church, cleansing and purifying each soul present, and filling it with inexpressible devotion, when, like a soft, trembling wave, the pure young voice came floating down the aisles, and we heard the solemn acknowledgment,
A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify; A precious blood-bought soul to save, And fit it for the sky.

down many womens faces, as for the first time the singers voice trembled, broke, and at last sobbed through the humble entreaty,
Just as I amwithout one plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come.

She sang alone; a feeling too deep for utterance had prevented the rest from joining in, and many heads were bent in silent prayer and thanksgiving. But oh! what did I see? Pale as death, her eyes dilated, her whole frame quivering like an aspen, Mabel arose and essayed to speak. The muscles of her mouth refused to obey her will, but with a painful effort she faltered in low, broken tones, Pray for me, and sank down upon her knees. It was the voice of God that spoke in those three little words, Pray for me, uttered so low, yet distinctly heard in every part of the church. Joyful tears were streaming
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As she finished, a young minister who was living in the same house with us, and whose life had been nearly sacrificed in missionary labors, bowed in prayer. The radiance of Heaven was upon his face, and God spoke through him to the awakened soul of Mabel in a way I had never heard before. The words poured out in an inspired flood, carrying her soul resistless upon its mighty waves to repentance, faith, prayer, praise, love, joy, peace, and at last heaven! With a solemn benediction the services were ended; and when we had come out, it seemed as if the very heavens were rejoicing over the tidings which had gone up of the soul that day redeemed. All that was gorgeous and beautiful in color had taken possession of the sky. The clouds, like great gold and crimson banners, were moving high over our heads, furling and unfurling, as if carried by exultant angels, marching and singing their triumphant allelujahs.

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Pilgrim Youth

And Mabel, still white as an Easter lily, but with her deep gray eyes full of a new happiness, a steadfast resolution to live henceforth for Christ, walked by my side, watching the great glory of the heavens, with her arm lovingly entwined in mine. We did not speak; we had no need, for our thoughts were in perfect accord. I had witnessed the wonderful mystery of her instantaneous change of heart; I knew it was well with her. Beautiful, gay, fashionable, the pet of society, I knew her also to be a staunch upholder of all that was noble, good, and pure, and I felt a thorough conviction that she had indeed given herself up body and soul to Him who had chosen to send his Holy Spirit into her heart, as she was going out of the little village which bore the blessed name of Bethlehem. taken from Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle, 1905

Walk in the Light

The whole earth is to be lightened with the glory of God. But how difficult for some to see and acknowledge the light and be

converted, that I, Christ says, should heal them! The atmosphere of selfishness, pride, formality, and self-righteousness surrounds their souls, and it is very difficult for them to discern light as light and appreciate it. Some walk away from the light into darkness, and how much greater is the darkness that enshrouds their souls because they have had the light! Refusing to walk in the light, they stumble at most precious things. Refusing to see the truth, they stumble and know not at what they stumble. The light that has been graciously given has not been appreciated and brought into practical life, and many are not doers of the word. Every true believer should have a realization of his solemn responsibility before God, to be a missionary seeking to save those that are lost. We should see armies of consecrated workers seeking to do, not their own will or pleasure, but the will of God. They should be laborers together with God. They should work, pray, and continually look unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of their faith. Those who surrender wholly to God will put thought and prayer and earnest, consecrated tact into their labor. Young men and young women, if you are true disciples of Christ,
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you will consecrate every talent, and be able to reach out for the unconverted, by ways and methods that will be effective. You will be active, working agencies for Christ. In every church there should be devoted workers. All should realize that they are to seek counsel of God, that by well-directed personal efforts they may save souls for whom Christ died. No sinner should come within the sphere of a Christians influence and feel that his interest has not been enlisted on the side of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Those who profess to believe the truth should walk in the light of the precious beams of the Sun of Righteousness. Who of our youth will give themselves to God for the purpose of laboring for the salvation of their fellow youth? Who will put their talent out to the exchangers? Who will feel their sacred accountability and put to use every ability given them of God to win souls? Young men and young women, can not you form companies, and, as soldiers of Christ, enlist in the work, putting all your tact and skill and talent into the Masters service, that you may save souls from ruin? Let there be companies organized in every church to do this work. It is
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stated that when the householder left his servants, he gave to every man his work. Not one was to be idle. I appeal to both young and old, and ask, Is Jesus your personal Saviour? If you do not realize that he is yours, by all means make him yours. Then without delay teach others what you have experienced in the Christian life. Instead of being as frail reeds blowing in the wind, show yourselves as those who have root in themselvesthat you believe and that you practise the truth, and its sanctifying power is upon your life and character. Then you will be walking in the light while you have the light. Will the young men and young women who really love Jesus organize themselves as workers, not only for those who profess to be Sabbathkeepers, but for those who are not of our faith; for there is no respect of persons with God? All souls are precious; they are the purchase of the blood of the Son of God. Why has there been so little interest and soul burden for sinners? Many outside of the ranks of Sabbath-keepers, who have not had the light, give more promise of becoming children of God, joint heirs with Jesus, than do those who

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Pilgrim Youth

have had the light of truth, and who have not appreciated it, but have walked in the sparks of their own kindling. No one can labor successfully for souls without true, earnest, unselfish interest. Those who do so labor will see souls converted, and will themselves grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. They will not have a dwarfed experience in the things of God. They will be learners in the school of Christ, and educators as well, making known to others the things which they have learned of Jesus. Let the young men and young women determine to love God supremely and to do his commandments. Under circumstances the most trying, let them remain faithful to duty especially in their attitude toward the principles of health reform. Instead of being half-hearted reformers, let them make a wholehearted reformation, in all things practising chastity and temperance. Let none begin to reform, and then stop. Resolve to overcome the wicked one. True victory is gained only when the repentant sinner pledges himself to unconditional obedience to God,only when he pledges himself to honor God in

every word, every business transaction, every act of his life. Those who do this may be like the youth whom John addressed in the words: I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. It is possible for every youth to gain spiritual strength. Those who endeavor to increase their strength will pass through severe struggles, which will test their sincerity of purpose; but by remaining faithful, they prove that their determination to do Gods will is prompted by high and holy motives. In every sense of the word, such youth are able to be overcomers; for Christ overcame in their behalf. Having overcome, they are brought into alliance with divine, unfailing resources. Young men, young women, you are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. By your determined efforts to be true and righteous, laying your foundation secure in faith, you may be able to provoke the older and more experienced brethren and sisters to love and good works. Mrs. E. G. White taken from The Youths Instructor, January 17, 1911
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A Note From Us to You

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:Beware lest any man spoil youafter the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Col. 2:6, 8 Sometimes we need to ponder our walk with God. Are we walking in Christ Jesus just as earnestly as when we received Him at the first? Do we search our hearts deeply to discover whose we really are, and what or with whom we are really enamoured? Ponder this thought No sinner should come within the sphere of a Christians influence and feel that his interest has not been enlisted on the side of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. YI January 17, 1911 Par. 2
What a thrilling thought! Is this our influence? Really, and truly? If we realise it is not, whyand how do we regain what we have lost?

There is need that a reformation in many lines be seen among us. We need to let our influence be felt on the side of self-denial. If we really loved the truth, we would talk the truth; we would pray much, and study the Word of God with diligence. And this would make us living channels through which Christ could convey the message of his love and power to many hearts. YI April 27, 1909 Par. 8 So is this the answer? In some cases, why do our friends, or those we look up to, not seem to love prayer, reading the precious Bible, and talking of their love for God? Do we worry about being peculiar, or different? We need to study our Bibles, and learn daily lessons at the feet of Christ. in this work of character building, it is the privilege of every youth in the midst of abounding iniquity, to make it manifest that he is humble in heart, that he is imbued with the Spirit of God. YI April 27, 1909 Par. 10 May we have our eyes so focused upon our Saviour that no one and nothing can turn us from a life wholly dedicated to Him. Antoinette

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