Love for Present Truth
By W. Gatchel
BRO. W. GATCHEL writes from Cumberland Co., Me.: How I love the light of present truth! It is more precious to me than ever. The more I hear the truth of the third angel's message proclaimed, the more I love it. It is food to my soul. I delight in the law of God: for it was by that law, that I had a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, which caused me to think on my ways, and led me to turn my feet unto his testimonies. I cannot conceive how any one can love God, or think they have the love of God abiding in them, while they are walking contrary to his commands, and making void his law. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5: 3. Wickedness and crime are on the increase all through the land, which leads me to believe that the end of all things is very near. I often make the inquiry, Am I ready? am I fully prepared to meet the troubles, that are soon to come upon the earth? Satan and all his host are throwing every obstacle in the way that lies in their power to deceive God's remnant people, and lead them into a snare. I feel that it becomes me to keep in mind the injunction of our Saviour, “What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch,” that I may be able to meet all coming events, and endure unto the end. Oh! for a closer walk with God. Oh! for grace to help me to live so near to him, that I may have an abiding evidence, that all my ways meet his approval. Oh! that I may be sheltered from the coming storm. The little company of Sabbath-keepers here, are still striving to press onward, so as to win the prize. We have had many precious seasons during the fall and winter, as we have met together for preaching and social meetings, trying to encourage each other in the way, and speaking words of comfort, and consolation to one another, and exhorting one another to be faithful, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. Two weeks since we had a very interesting Quarterly Meeting, and one more was added to our number. We are all united and striving for the same things, that we may share with God's remnant people, in the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.