An Aged Believer’s Hope
By Samuel Treat
Dear Brethren and Sisters: I always love to read the letters from the saints, and especially those of my acquaintance; and some may be glad to hear from me. I am far advanced in life, yet through the goodness of God I still live, and hope to live until the Life-giver comes in all his glory. Then I expect, if I faithfully bear the cross and despise the shame to the end, to have immortality and eternal life. Oh! praise the Lord for such a hope! But sometimes I fear lest it prove in my case, as the spider's web; for I have yet many evil propensities to overcome, and need to pray much; and I desire the prayers of God's children to help me in this day of temptation and tribulation. I feel the infirmities of age press heavily upon me, and my own righteousness has always proved to be but filthy rags. None can help but Jesus, my intercessor and advocate; and it is a consoling thought that he never turns a deaf ear to the cries and entreaties of any who believingly ask for help. Seventy-five years of my life have passed away, and I find that my faculties are failing, especially my memory. I often forget to-day what I did yesterday; but, thank God, I remember what the Lord has done and is every day doing for me; and I am often led to say, with the psalmist, Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. I am highly pleased with the weekly visits of the REVIEW, and wish I could pay for it; but I find it quite hard to get my daily bread. But the Lord says through the psalmist, Trust in the Lord and do good, and verily thou shalt be fed. I received some very excellent publications last year from the office, for which I am very thankful. It is all the preaching that I get on the present truth. The reading of these is a great privilege. I try to lend them out, but none seem to be interested. We have the truth on the Sabbath question, and it is my solemn conviction, that it will erelong become a test question. The Lord help us all to have our loins girded about with the whole truth, and be prepared to stand in that day when the Lord shall come to make up his jewels and to test the genuineness of our faith. Oh! how important it is to have a correct faith, as did the ancient patriarchs and apostles who lived out their faith, and are now all ready to receive an unfading crown of glory. Your brother and companion in tribulation. SAMUEL TREAT.