A WORD OF CHEER by Marcia S. Avery

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 30, 1877

A WORD OF CHEER.

By Marcia S. Avery

As a people we have great reason for encouragement, for we see without a doubt that the truth of God is rising. The Lord is truly working with and for those who are willing to work, and have his cause and the good of souls in view. As we read the late reports of Mrs. Haskell and Canright from the tent in Danvers, Mass., and see how the multitudes are moved to hear, the interest they manifest in buying our publications, and their friendliness and hospitality toward our ministers, we can but rejoice, and believe of a surety that God is with his people, and that the darkest days of our precious cause are in the past.

We have also strong evidence of the favor of Heaven inasmuch as we can see plainly that those who are leading out in all the reforms of this great work are themselves led by the great Leader, the Lord of glory.

Very cheering indeed are the reports that come in from the great harvest-field, of the work the laborers are accomplishing, through the help of God, and by untiring energy and perseverance. We believe a great work will yet be wrought through the European Mission, and that God is well pleased to bless the faithful efforts of his chosen servants who have left country, friends, brethren, home, and children, to do his work in foreign lands. May Heaven prosper and bless them each, in their noble, unselfish work for perishing souls, and may obstacles be so removed from before them that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified.

This work is destined to a glorious termination, and to this end, we must be awake and spend our time and strength in aiding the laborers. We must not sit still, or stand idly by; but if too weak to do the reaping and binding, let us leave this work to abler hands, while we are occupied in the lighter portion, gleaning the scattered grain, or perhaps ministering to the worn toilers that may not rest, until the great harvest is securely gathered.

The husbandman is tireless in his endeavors, because of the recompense of perishable gain, and we should be doubly diligent in these precious moments that yet remain, knowing that “we have in Heaven a more enduring substance,” and that as we sow, we shall also reap. The reward of the righteous is sure, and eternal life in the kingdom of glory is that reward. The shining spires of the Celestial City are almost in sight, the dark and trying scenes of earth will soon have past, and oh! may it be ours to join in the glad anthems that shall resound through Heaven, when the redeemed host shall stand immortal on the “evergreen shore.” Shall we prove the integrity of our souls by doing faithfully and well the work assigned us here, and when the Nobleman returns hear the sweet words of acceptance, “well done”?

Mrs. Marcia S. Avery.

Locke, Mich., Aug. 20, 1877.