COMMUNICATIONS by Alonzo Miles

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Sep 27, 1853

COMMUNICATIONS.

By Alonzo Miles

From Bro. Miles.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I feel to praise the Lord for the opportunity of saying through the Review, that I am still striving for the kingdom. While away from kindred, friends and brethren, our way is onward, and shall be, by the grace of God, until we reach the plains of Paradise.

Brethren, are we able to go up and possess the goodly land? yes, we are fully able, if we keep God's holy law. I feel, while penning these few lines, to exclaim with the Psalmist, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." O how it rejoices my heart, that while surrounded by the wicked, God in his mercy did not leave me in their ranks, to scoff at his humble followers; for I see, according to the word of the Lord, that they are soon to pass away like the morning dew; while the righteous are to shine forth in the kingdom of their Father.

Brethren, let us take courage and fight on; for the warfare is almost accomplished; and we shall soon have our discharge, and be called home to receive a rich reward in the kingdom of our God. I want daily to be more like my blessed Lord, and have the mind that was in Christ, that when I am reviled, I revile not again; when I am persecuted, I threaten not.—I want all the fruit of the Spirit; which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: if these things be in us, and abound, they make us that we shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. I want to suffer more with my blessed Master, and go to him without the camp, and bear his reproach; for if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him. O precious promises! I often think, shall I be permitted to share in the glories promised to those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. O that I was more like the meek and lowly Jesus: I could then praise him more perfectly.

I can say, truly, it rejoices my heart to hear from my brethren who are scattered throughout the land of the enemy, who are still struggling on for the kingdom. Go on, dear brethren, I will try and meet you there. Though we are a scattered and torn people, despised by the world and rejected by a fallen church, let us not be discouraged; for they that are for us are more than they that are against us. Yes, the time is not far distant, when the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom under the whole heaven, and possess it forever, even forever and ever; for yet a little while and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

I am resolved to press my way onward till I reach Abraham's promised possession; for I have heard of that happy country, and I long to be there. Yes, I know that if I keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus, I shall have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city, and have the society of saints and angels, and be made like Jesus and dwell with him through all eternity. Glory to God for the prospect of a better country than this.

ALONZO MILES.

Plainfield, Ill., Sept. 11th, 1853.