Thoughts on Vows, Promises, and Overcoming
By P. C. Rodman
Our yearly gathering for 1872 in New England for a camp-meeting is past. The vows and promises there made are being performed or forgotten. If we are performing the vows and promises there made, then we are by our course inviting holy angels to help us; and if we persevere in our efforts to overcome, confessing and forsaking all our sins, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and will permit angels to lead and protect us through the perils of the last days, as we walk in his counsel, denying ourselves of all ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Then may we expect the angels to protect us through the time of trouble and at the bidding of the Saviour convey us to those mansions of bliss Jesus has gone to prepare. I have been too careless and have not strictly heeded all the counsel of God, as I have known it applied to my case, in remarks by God's servant when made directly to me; and when reading the testimonies to others, frequently some things pointed out in others, for them to correct and overcome, I needed to correct and overcome in myself. I have made effort to do so, but have not always been as diligent and persevering as I should have been. I much regret this; for I am not prepared to be as useful in the cause as I might have been, hence I have not only robbed my own soul, but God and his cause. I ask myself, Is there forgiveness for me? 1 John 1: 7-10; James 5: 11-16. Such passages lead me to hope and make more earnest efforts to overcome, yes, to agonize to enter in. It appears to me we cannot too highly prize the Bible and the gift of the Spirit of God in the testimonies, it has enabled his servant to bear to his people in these days when darkness and error prevails over the masses, to counsel and comfort his people. The Good Shepherd comes very near; and is he not saying to us, He that hath an ear, let him hear? Pray for me, that I may be sound in the work of the Lord, and be complete in him, success attend my efforts to win souls to the truth and to God, now, and I be found among the ransomed host on Mount Zion at last. P. C. Rodman.