A Lonely Pilgrim’s Burden
By A. I. Marsh
BRO. SMITH: A sense of my unworthiness and inability almost forbids that I should undertake to contribute anything to the columns of the Review. But the demands upon the child of God in these last days are of such a nature that it is a sin to remain inactive when there is so much to be done; while thousands of precious souls are perishing around us. This truth sank so deep into my soul this morning while I was reflecting upon my own condition, and the condition of my friends and relatives, I promised that I would use all the powers that God had granted unto me, to lead some poor soul to keep the commandments of God. I am a lonely pilgrim; not one of my relatives are keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, or giving heed to the third angel's message. My companion was a Sabbath-keeper, but she fell asleep in Christ on the twenty-fifth day of December last. May angels watch over her sleeping dust until the morning of the first resurrection. While contemplating this morning my sad and lonely condition, and somewhat cast down in my feelings, and reviewing my past life and trials that I have been called to pass through of late, I felt convinced that it was necessary for me to cast my burden entirely upon the Lord. I read in Luke xxii. 43, “And there appeared an angel unto him from Heaven, strengthening him.” If the Son of God needed angels to strengthen him, what are the wants of poor, frail, mortal man? I desire to say as did the blessed Jesus, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Jesus “being in an agony he prayed more earnestly,” and so it has been with me, I have prayed more earnestly that the Lord would strengthen me, and prepare me for the trials of life; that if possible I might gain the victory over sin, and stand with the redeemed on Mount Zion. The Lord has truly blessed me, and made me rejoice in hope of being free when Jesus comes. Yours in love,
Steuben Co., N. Y.
A. I. MARSH.