Untitled article by H. F. Phelps

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · January 7, 1868

SOLILOQUY.

By H. F. Phelps

Am I ready to meet Jesus? If he should now come, what should I do? I should flee to the mountains and rocks. Would they hide me? As well might the ocean drink itself up. As well might the mountains sink into valleys. If I should make my bed in hell, his glory would find me. If I should take the wings of the morning, and go to the uttermost parts of the earth, there his lightnings would find me, and his wrath would search me out. ’Twill be in vain to flee. O my soul, seek thine eternal good. Forsake carnal pleasures. O prepare thyself. Do temptations rise? Evil gets the advantage of me; my temper rises; I am not meek; I am covetous; I have idols: yes, I make an idol of myself; I desire good things for myself; I seek my own good, my carnal lusts clamor for gratification. Oh! my leanness. I am weak, my tongue I cannot bridle. I say that which I ought not. I speak hastily. I am fretful. In me dwelleth no good thing. What shall I do? Who will help me? I cannot overcome.

I see I have been at work in my own strength. Who will strengthen me? Jesus. Hark! hear him saying, My strength is sufficient. Come unto me, and I will give you rest, cast thy burdens on me. I hear him speak. Gently he calls me. He is knocking at the door. I must open. He will sup with me. He will give me strength. Too long, aye, much too long, have I neglected to heed his call. I have long heard his gentle voice. I knew ’twas he. But I feared to open my heart to him. I was not ready. My house was not in order. It was all disorder; full of filth and uncleanness. I knew he was a friend. But I had no good thing to present to him. I have long tried to get ready. Shall I try longer? If I do will he not get tired of knocking and go away? I will open the door. Jesus, come in. I long to commune with thee. I have many troubles I wish to confide to some friend. I have nothing to offer to thee, but sin and uncleanness. I have tried to get rid of them. I cannot. Jesus, help me. I hear him speak. Gently he smooths my care-worn brow. He calms my troubled soul. In me ye shall find peace. My yoke is easy. My burden is light. Cast thy burdens on me. Yes, now I see. Blessed Jesus! he is my burden-bearer. Too long I have been alone. Ah! yes, I need just such help. Without him I am alone. With him, I have better company than all the world. Without him, I am poor. With him, I am rich. Without him I am most miserable. With him, I am happy. Joy fills my soul. Yes, verily, without him I can do nothing, am nothing, can never be anything. With him, and by him, and through him, I can do all things, can be something, a servant of my Master. Yes, more, I shall inherit all things, shall sit upon his throne, shall live eternally, shall wear a crown, shall have a palm of victory, shall sing with the angels, and dwell with them forever. I shall shout, glory! glory! to his name! Oh! I will strive to gain this position. H. F. PHELPS. Pine Island, Minn.