A Solemn Appeal

48/56

REMEDIES

“Thus much of these evils. Next, their REMEDIES. All the penalties of nature’s violated laws are not wholly incurable. A ‘healing balm’ is kindly furnished for such wounds as are not mortal. Though it may be impossible, after these evils have become aggravated for their subject to be as healthy and happy as he would have been if he had never sinned, yet our merciful Physician has furnished at hand both palliatives and restoratives, by the judicious and thorough use of which, he may become as sound in body and as strong in mind, as he ever has been; perhaps better, because he is yet immature. When the consequences of this vice have not gone so far as to impair or destroy the structure, a comparative cure is attainable; and even though the organization itself is seriously affected, yet, as nature restores a broken bone, or flesh wound, so here, she will often repair breaches apparently irreparable. Though, as a broken bone or a sprained joint is more liable to subsequent injury than if it had never been impaired, yet, as long and as far as life and constitution remain, they hold out the blessed promise of recovery and happiness. Unfortunate reader, however foolish and sinful you may have been, never despair; first, because discouragement greatly impedes cure; and secondly, because the constitutional tendency of your disease is to render you more gloomy and disheartened than you need be. Be it that your case is bad, you regard it as much worse than it really is. If it were fatal, you would be now literally dying. The flag of truce is yet flying. Because you have entered the broad road, you are not compelled to go down to final ruin. The door of escape is yet open. Few cases are desperate. Most men can be well nigh cured. Listen then to the means of salvation. SOAP 248.2

You must cure yourselves. Nor is the task easy, but it requires effort, perseverance, and temporary self-denial. You must DO, instead of passively folding your arms, to which you are inclined. Be it, that a cure requires hard work, are not LIFE, HEALTH, happiness, worth working hard to obtain? If in Niagara rapids, and certain to be precipitated over its yawning precipice in case you remain passive, but could save yourself by powerful effort, would you fold your hands? Would you not tax every energy of life to its utmost? What will not man do for his LIFE? And your life is at stake, and the prize of effort. I hear your eager inquiry, ‘What shall I do to be saved?’ SOAP 250.1