NORA M. GORTON by Nora M. Gorton

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 14, 1868

NORA M. GORTON

By Nora M. Gorton

From Sr. Gorton.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel it duty to say a few words in favor of this glorious present truth. The last note of solemn warning found me wandering far away from God. Oh! how precious the great plan of salvation looked to me as I listened to God's chosen ministers, as they unfolded to my mind its beauty and loveliness. Oh! how glad I am that I ever had a heart to live out all the requirements of the third angel's message. I love the narrow, rugged way, and as the golden city of God looms up before me, I feel that I must share in the glory soon to be revealed. Soon Jesus will come, to gather his jewels from off the earth; soon his lovely hand will sweep back the vail from before our mortal eyes, and we shall behold him coming with all the holy angels. Oh! hasten, glorious day, when those lovely ones shall come down to this dark world, and infold their arms lovingly around us, and bear us gently away to the Son of God.

When I think of that land of glory where God reigns in all his fearful majesty, where the holy angels are, and where Jesus stands pleading and waiting for his people to repent and be washed in his own precious blood—when I think of my name being brought up before all that holy throng and considered, to see whether I can have eternal life or not—my heart shrinks within me, and I am led to ask myself the question, “Who is sufficient for these things?” Oh, for strength to gain the “victory at last!” is my daily cry. I feel that I have not yet put on the dress of meekness and righteousness, which, if faithful, I shall wear throughout eternity. O God, thy grace and strength impart. Dear brethren and sisters, let us arouse and gird about us more closely the armor of God. Let us not try to fix up an armor of our own. Satan can tear down our work, but God's never. Let us trust the Lord so that he will not forsake us—if he forsakes us, who will take us up? Where, oh! where can we fly for safety? Who will hide us in the great day of wrath close upon us? Who will give us the necessary preparation to enter in through the gates into the city? No one but God. He can uphold us by his mighty power. He can keep us safe from the contaminating touch of Satan, and if we put our whole trust in him, his loving Spirit will dwell in our hearts, angels will aid us, and we shall be enabled to overcome all unrighteousness, and sit down to the marriage-supper of the Lamb. May the Lord help us to buy the gold, the eyesalve, and the white raiment, so that when the wrath of God sweeps over the world in one mighty wave, we may stand undaunted amid the scene of carnage. Then, having gained the victory, rest, eternal rest, and unfading glory, will be ours to enjoy forever. Oh, what glories await the people of God! Just think of that heavenly meeting upon the white cloud. Then we shall meet loving hearts, never more to part. What joy, what bliss, of even the first moment, when we realize that we are saved, saved forever. I want to be there. I want to see Jesus. I must behold the angels who have ministered unto our salvation. I want to see all the holy prophets, and the good of all ages. Is not this worth living for? Oh, the joy of anticipation, alone, is worth all our self-denial.

We are living in the last solemn hours of time; in the closing scenes of earth. May these solemn truths sink deep into our hearts, and may they nerve us up to action. May we no longer slumber upon the enchanted ground, but may we awake to righteousness. May the Lord bless his dear ministers, and give them strength from above to stand before this wicked generation and proclaim the near approach of our heavenly King; and may his people stay up their hands by living right and keeping all the commandments of God. When I read of our dear brethren leaving all and going to California, and manifesting such a sacrificing spirit, I could but weep and pray the Lord to give all of his people a missionary spirit. To be sure we cannot all go to distant lands, but oh, there is a vast field of labor all around us, and shall we slumber on and make no effort to save perishing souls? God forbid. Let us make an effort. Let us first be sure that we are converted, and then our lives—our daily walk will tell to the glory of God. May we have our work done, and well done, so that when Jesus comes he can say to us, “It is enough, come up higher.” Praise God for the blessed hope of soon meeting all the dear ones of earth in the kingdom.

“Oh, how sweet it will be in that beautiful land, So free from all sorrow and pain! With a song on our lips, and a harp in our hands, To meet one another again.”

Yours, striving for victory,

NORA M. GORTON

Watrousville, Mich.