Seeking a Closer Walk with God
By Emily L. Canright
DEAR BRETHREN: “Silver and gold have I none,” and yet perhaps I may do something to aid the cause of God by the way of encouraging others. We are alone here, yet striving, in weakness, to keep the commandments of God. No, not alone; Jesus, our beloved Lord and Master, has promised to be with us “always, even unto the end of the world;” and I often feel myself basking in the sunshine of his divine presence. What can I ask more? Oh! why does he bend to associate with such a worm as I? Do we pine for society? let us seek Jesus. Here is one in whom we can confide; one whose ways are beyond criticism, and whom we may at all times safely strive to imitate. “Oh! for a closer walk with God!” I long to have my will brought into subjection to the will of Him with whom I have to do. If the foretastes of glory, which we at times obtain here, afford us such joys unspeakable, “what must it be to be there?” Oh! that better land, how I long to be gathered into its rest! There no sorrow nor pain can ever come, no cares to harass us then, and death can never chill, and God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. Oh! that I may be numbered with the 144,000, and join in singing that sweet song that shall make the heavenly arches ring; that I may be among those that “follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” Dear brethren and sisters, do we realize how great is the prize that awaits the overcomer? God helping me I will strive with greater diligence to obtain that incorruptible crown which fadeth not away. Daily and hourly we are passing those that are soon to be destroyed by the seven last plagues. Do we warn them of their danger, crying aloud, and sparing not? Do we show by our daily walk and conversation that we are what we profess to be, pilgrims and strangers on the earth? that we do verily believe that these are the last hours of probationary time? If not they “shall die in their iniquity, but their blood will God require at our hands.” It is my earnest desire to be a child of God in word and deed; but I find the spirit willing, but the flesh is often weak. I do many things that I ought not to do, and leave undone many things that I should do. I have found that life is truly a warfare. Pray that I may be enabled to fight it well.
EMILY L. CANRIGHT.