GOD BLESS NEW ENGLAND by A. S. Nason

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 13, 1876

GOD BLESS NEW ENGLAND.

By A. S. Nason

EARNEST prayers have ascended throughout New England that the blessing of God may rest upon his people in this their hour of need. And as they humble themselves under his mighty hand his arm will be stretched out to help and save. New England is called a hard field for labor. The hearts of the majority of the people have seemed as difficult to impress as the flinty rocks that cover its surface. But let this people become thoroughly awakened to the importance of the last solemn message, and they will manifest a power before which the world will have reason to tremble.

There is not a nobler people to be found upon the wide earth than New England contains. They possess hearts as true and firm as the eternal hills among which they have been reared. The men and women who have led out in present truth have been cradled here. There is a great deal of iron in the composition of this people, and the cause here needs men to lead it, who will pursue the straight path of duty, regardless of censure or of praise. Thank God, some such are in our midst, and the Lord is blessing their labors.

The members of the little church in Ipswich are rejoicing in victories gained, and, like Jacob, are wrestling for still greater liberty. The Lord has distilled his blessing upon us like the gentle dew, and fainting hearts have revived under its sweet influence. There are those among us who have known and loved the truth almost from its beginning, and it can be said of them that they are true burden-bearers.

This church is worthy to be an example to others, in that the labors of God’s faithful servants are appreciated, and the members feel like uniting their efforts with these men of God to advance the cause. When every church in New England shall cease murmuring, and with unselfish motives and childlike trust in God shall firmly resolve to go forward, there will no longer be the cry among us, “My leanness, my leanness.”

God is speaking to his people in the message to the Laodiceans, bidding them be zealous and repent. How many in New England are faithfully heeding this message will soon be known. How many, alas! will find too late that they have made only a surface work? Those who truly repent will manifest it by the softening influence which will take possession of their hearts. Such love for perishing men will influence them as will make them forgetful of selfish interests, and the affections will be broken off from worldly objects and centered in Heaven.

If the Saviour could be bodily in our midst, should we not see him weeping over us as he wept over Jerusalem? Would he not say, Oh, that “thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace”? Will we close our eyes to the light that is shining upon our pathway, and willfully shut our ears to the notes of warning? God forbid! But may we continue our prayers for God’s blessing to rest upon New England until hill and valley shall re-echo with songs of praise from souls new born to Christ.

And throughout earth’s wide domains may the message increase in power and strength until its work is accomplished. Then will the reward be given to those,

Who’ve “fought unyielding on the field To win an everlasting crown.”

A. S. NASON.

Ipswich, Mass.