p. 467 | To the Lone Pilgrims by Roswell F. Cottrell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 5, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 30.

To the Lone Pilgrims.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

THE Jubilee is coming! The year of release to the oppressed is at hand. The conflict with the powers of darkness will soon be ended, and then, if faithful, the victor's crown of glory will be yours. What though the way grows rougher, and the conflict severer! Did we not expect it? Did we not count the cost? Are we not looking for trouble and affliction and persecution? The way to be prepared for the fiery trial which is to try us, is to bear with patience and cheerfulness our present trials. They will do us good if properly endured and improved. Though we are in the midst of perils,—though iniquity abounds and the love of many grows cold,—yet the blessed promise is, "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." There is something to endure; but the Lord loves us, and is willing to save us.

"O thou afflicted" "inhabitant of Zion, tossed with tempest, and not comforted!" thou son or daughter of Jerusalem above! the Lord loves you, and you may triumph over the powers of darkness. Thou lone pilgrim, bowed down with oppression, and feeling as if there were none to sympathize with or pray for thee, look up, and press forward; for neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Those iron bands of opposition shall be broken. The time is not far distant when, if faithful, "thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear, and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." See Isa. 54:11-14. No one can deprive the weakest saint of salvation. Thank the Lord, salvation is free; it is within our reach! The poorest and most oppressed may be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom that God has promised to them that love him.

God hears thy sighs and sees thy tears. We have a God that seeth in secret, and he will reward us openly. He knows all our grief. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust." We have also a High Priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Angels are interested in our behalf, and the saints of God are praying for us. What cause, then, to fear? Friends and companions may turn against us; father and mother may forsake us; but then the Lord will take us up.

"Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." Let patience have its perfect work. These fires are intended to take away our dross; and though the furnace be hot, let us lie passive in the crucible, till the refiner and purifier of silver can see his own image in us.

Let no lone pilgrim despond or faint because of the oppressor. The Jubilee is coming! The time of the promise is drawing near. The strong man armed will soon release his prisoners; for a stronger than he is coming, who will wrest from him his spoils. The Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved forever.

Take courage, fellow-pilgrim. Put on the whole armor of God. The conflict, though sharp, cannot be long. The victory can be won in the strength of our Redeemer. And then the prize,—the victor's crown, the harps of God! "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." In patience wait, and work in hope. There are souls to be saved; and you may see the fruit of your labor in the soon-coming, glorious kingdom of God. Watch and pray; wait and work. R. F. COTTRELL.