He Careth for the Lonely.
By S. E. Lindsley
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” DEAR fellow travelers, you who seldom enjoy the privilege of meeting with those of like precious faith, but are constantly meeting with opposition from friends and kindred, perhaps from members of your own family; go and tell Jesus. “Cast your care upon him.” “He careth for you.” When doubts and discouragements becloud your mind, almost amounting to despair, reason thus with your own soul: O my soul, where art thou, or what is the end of thy existence? Thou art in a world of sorrow, pain and death. Thou canst not control events, yet thou canst choose for thy portion life or death. It becometh thee, then, to accept thankfully the sure chart and compass to guide thee over the ocean of life, which is within thy reach. Nay more, to lay hold on the hope set before thee, and make it thine own. Jesus loved thee so much that he gave himself for thee, and suffered a cruel death upon the tree. His grace is sufficient for thee, and he will not suffer thee to be tempted above that thou art able to bear. O my soul, lovest thou not this dear friend? If so, then all things shall work together for thy good. But I charge thee that thou make no reserve. Yield thyself wholly, “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God;” for remember thou canst not serve two masters. Gird thyself anew with the whole armor of God. Especially take the shield of faith, wherewith thou shalt be able to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy. Cling fast to thy beautiful helmet, the hope of salvation. By thus soliloquising with ourselves we may drive away the tempter from our hearts, and gain courage to plead earnestly with God for strength to press forward in the narrow way. Oh let the hope of glorious deliverance near at hand brighten our pathway and lighten our sorrows. I believe the time is near when unsanctified friends and relatives will have no power to bind down and oppress the true followers of Jesus. But let us use every endeavor while probation lingers to induce them to turn their course and go with us to Mount Zion. Truly, “Now the gathering call is sounding.”
How inexpressibly sweet and precious to us who are alone, is the privilege of meeting occasionally with the little band with whom we have cast in our lot. To join with them in their prayers and exhortations, or better still, to listen to the straight testimony and solemn truths of God's word, belonging to the present time, as it falls from the lips of the faithful watchmen. This is indeed meat in due season to the hungry soul. Praise the Lord for the precious privilege of being numbered with this little band. Then together we follow Jesus in celebrating the ordinance commemorative of his sufferings and death. Nor do we feel it beneath our dignity to imitate his pure and holy example in stooping to wash each other's feet. Oh, the peace, the solemnity, the holy awe that pervades every heart. Here is joy and peace which the world can neither give nor take away. Here we enjoy a foretaste of heavenly bliss. What if our unbelieving friends scoff, and laugh us to scorn. Shall we be ashamed? Oh no. We rejoice to be numbered with this “poor, despised company.” For we esteem “The reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.” And then the kindly greetings which we exchange. Not formal, and full of hypocrisy, like those of the world, but springing from hearts filled with brotherly love. And as we sadly turn away, and go to our homes, the sweet memory of their words of encouragement and admonition lingers with us, and we feel cheered and comforted. Our resolutions are strengthened to consecrate ourselves anew to God and struggle against the darkness which surrounds us; knowing that if we are faithful a little longer, our conflicts will be over. We shall all be gathered together, and with Jesus in our midst enjoy the glories of Heaven and the new earth forever. For “it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is.” And is not this enough? Oh yes, Praise the Lord for such a blessed hope. Oh let us look up. Deliverance is at hand. Victory will turn on Zion's side. But disappointments and trials will sometimes gather thickly around us. Our affections must be weaned from this world, and placed upon our heavenly treasure. Our will must be subdued, self crucified, and we must learn to endure the chastening of our kind heavenly Father with patience and submission. Oh, for an increase of faith, a childlike trust and confidence in God; that we may be able to take him at his word, and claim the precious promises left on record for us. And he is faithful still to perform all that he hath promised. He is the same living and true God, able and willing to deliver and aid his trusting children now, that he was in the days of Daniel or the apostles. And have we not reason to believe that the little remnant who are preparing for translation will soon stand in need of that firm and unwavering trust in God which characterized the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, or Daniel in the lions' den? Let us “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.” I feel ashamed and like repenting sincerely of my past unfaithfulness and evil heart of unbelief. Be not discouraged, O ye downcast and lonely ones. “It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Soon, if faithful, “Hope will change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.”
New Haven, N. Y., June, 1866.