From Sister L. Gotfredsen, New Denmark
By Laurentine Gotfredsen
From Sister L. Gotfredsen.
[Translated for REVIEW by Eld. J. Matteson.] THERE are a few souls here in New Denmark who are trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We feel encouraged and thankful for the grace and truth of God, and desire to strive for eternal life. We desire and need some labor here, but cannot get it now. The will of the Lord be done. He knows best where and when to direct the few laborers in this great harvest. If only his cause may be advanced and precious souls saved, then we will praise the Lord for such heavenly blessings, whether they are bestowed in our locality or elsewhere. How dear the REVIEW is to me, and how I long to hear a few words once in a while from our Danish brethren, and how encouraging such words have been to me from time to time. I am filled with joy and gratitude to the Lord for his wonderful goodness to me, a most unworthy creature. My greatest desire is in all things to submit to his holy requirements, that I may help constitute the reward which the dear Redeemer shall win through his wonderful sufferings and death. He pours his love into my soul; and seeing that I myself am so weak and unprofitable, I have great reason to love all and to bear with the imperfections and mistakes of others. My hope is in the Lord whose paternal care has been over me, and whose strong hand has so kindly guided me through dangers and perils till this present time. I believe that he will also guide me to the end. I beg of you all, dear brethren and sisters, that you will not be discouraged nor overcome by the enemy in temptations, but seek help from the Lord. Trust in God and wait for the fulfillment of the many glorious promises which we find in his word. Let not the death of Jesus for sinners be a small matter to you. Let not your election be a thing of naught. Think what heavenly glory God has prepared for them that love him. Yet how difficult to get our whole desire and affections placed upon that heavenly crown. How few comparatively are saved at last. How many begin in the Spirit, but little by little become lukewarm, and finally finish in the flesh. We were as strangers and pilgrims in a strange land, yet the Lord sought after us and called us to his fold. Dear brethren and sisters, let us think of the many of our own countrymen who live about us. Let us sacrifice, and do what we can to promote their spiritual and temporal well-being. Think not, Am I my brother’s keeper? Think not like the man with one talent, Others have greater gifts than I have; let them do the work. Oh, how wrong this is! They will certainly be our accusers in the day of Judgment, if we have neglected to do our duty in the fear of the Lord. Let us watch, and pray, and work till the Master appear. I am very thankful to our American brethren for the interest they have manifested and the sacrifices they have made to bring the precious light of the last message of mercy among us as a people. I value these heavenly truths very much, and am sorry that we can do no more to help advance the cause. The remarks from Bro. White and the General Conference last spring, in our behalf, were very unexpected to me, and drew from me tears of joy and thankfulness to the Lord. We are a slow and tiresome class of people to work for, yet my earnest prayer to God is for the prosperity of his cause not only among us, but among all nations, and kindreds, and tongues, until God’s people shall be one. Then shall we see the King in his beauty, and go home with Jesus to dwell evermore in his kingdom. Then shall we meet to worship in the city of our solemnities, the glorious Zion of God. Here is the heart and hand of your unworthy sister to meet you in that promised land.