Persevering to Heaven by M. J. Cotterill

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 18, 1868

Persevering to Heaven

By M. J. Cotterill

From Sister Cottrell.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have been reading, week by week, your testimonies in the REVIEW, and feeling cheered and encouraged thereby, I often think that I, too, would like to say a word in the conference meeting. I hardly know which part of our precious paper I love best; and it grows better and better. Oh! what a help it is, especially to the lonely ones. I often think of such, and pray that God will guide and keep them, cheering them by his Holy Spirit. If we are only faithful in serving him, he will soon call us home; yes, soon call us home, to his bright, beautiful, glorious home, where we shall enjoy an eternal rest, and never know what it is to be weary or sad. When I get to thinking about that home, and what the suffering Jesus endured, that we poor sinners may enjoy it, words fail me. Oh! shall we fall through want of attention to the work assigned to us? Shall we grow careless of our eternal interests, when “all Heaven is interested in our behalf”? Oh! I must go through.

I want to see Jesus in his beauty, and testify to his wondrous love by my presence in Heaven. I want to help swell the song of praise which the ransomed ones will sing. I want to see those lovely angels who are watching over, and caring for, us now; and I want to see the “great white throne,” and join the throng of white-robed worshipers, who cease not to cry, “Holy, holy!” Oh! I will try to be there. Let us all take courage; for we are able, in the strength of Jesus, to go up, and possess the goodly land. Let no one give up. The way is none too narrow; the path is none too rough; the crosses in the way are none too numerous nor heavy.

I have thought that when we really get humble enough to take up the crosses we find awaiting us, and in willing obedience stoop to lift them, that then angel hands assist us; and sometimes it does seem that they almost carry the cross for us; the burden is so much lighter than we expected. Lonely ones, take courage, and look up; up beyond the darkness which hangs like a pall above you; up by the eye of faith to where Jesus is pleading, “My blood, Father, my blood.” Fix your eye upon the light and glory there, and press onward.

Your sister striving for victory, M. J. COTTERILL. Ridgeway, N. Y.