DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I feel a deep, and abiding interest in the cause of Christ, and the welfare of Zion, and sympathize with those that are trying to keep all of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, in their trials, and persecutions which they have to endure in this vain and wicked world, for the sake of the truth. I rejoice in God that there are those that are willing to sacrifice many of the comforts of this life rather than disobey the holy commandments of God.
I find by reading the communications from brethren and sisters in the Review, that many of them are keeping God's Holy Sabbath all alone, as it were, and have not the privilege of meeting with those of like precious faith for social and divine worship, and mingling their voices together in prayer and praise, are surrounded by those that are obeying the doctrines and commandments of men rather than Him that never speak amiss, and who has said that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, &c.; who rested the seventh day from all the work which he had made and blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Not only will they disobey God themselves, by keeping a man-made Sabbath, but will make derision of, and point the finger of scorn at, and even persecute those who are trying to obey God; and this is done by those who profess to be followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Dear Friends, we must expect to suffer persecution a little longer. They that fear the Lord, must endure persecutions and trials while in this present evil world, for it will be those that have washed their robes, and come up through great tribulation, that will possess the goodly land. We must remember that Jesus suffered and died for our redemption and has gone to prepare a place for all those that love him and keep all his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.
I learn from sister Morton of Fredonia, who commenced120keeping the Sabbath about one year ago, that there is much opposition to the truth in that place; so much so that she has found it necessary to leave her home and friends and kindred that are near to her by those ties of affection that bind the heart of parents to children and children to parents, and come here among strangers where she can find employment and have the privilege of keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. She depends on teaching for a living; and they would not employ her at home after she embraced the Sabbath. These are some of the trials that those that are called to endure who embrace the truth as it is in Jesus, who has said, Except a man leave Father and Mother, &c., he cannot be my disciple. May the Lord bless and preserve all those that are trying to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. May we all remember that these light afflictions which are but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Let us therefore with patience run the race that is before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Yes let us look unto Jesus. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear. By and by we shall see him. We are waiting for him. Signs portends that he will soon appear with all his holy angels; and this is our joy and crown of rejoicing that we shall be in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming, if we are on our watchtower. We must watch and pray; for the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. Therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober; for they that sleep, sleep in the night, and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night; but let us who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet the hope of salvation; so that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Let us not therefore cast away our confidence which hath great recompense of reward, but be patient; and establish our hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. But who shall abide the day of his coming, who shall be able to stand. It is those who have oil in their vessels, and their lamps trimmed and burning, that will go in to the marriage supper of the Lamb. May the Lord direct our hearts into the love of God, and in the patient waiting for Christ.