Exhortation to Stand Firm
By D. F. Shireman
Bro. Smith: I would say to the brethren and sisters scattered abroad that we are trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of our Lord and Saviour. We feel that we are living in solemn times. The way is opening for the message to go with power. Dear brethren and sisters, we can see by the cheering letters in the Review that those who are keeping the commandments of God are becoming consecrated to this glorious cause. Let us seek earnestly for a deeper work of grace in our hearts, so that we may be able to stand with the remnant on the sea of glass. We are living in perilous times. The adversary is doing all he can to keep us in a lukewarm state. Let us wake up and put on the whole armor of God, so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of Satan. Dear brethren, soon Jesus will come. We know this. We are not in the dark. Although this may not agree with the popular opinion of the day, it agrees with the word of God; for the apostle Paul says in 1 Thess. v, 4, 5, “But ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of the light, and the children of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness.” And the reason we are not in the dark is, our heavenly Father has given us signs so that we may know when his coming is near. And our Saviour’s words, recorded by Luke, when he spoke about the great signs, are, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Now dear brethren and sisters, we know that these things have begun to come to pass. We know that our redemption draweth nigh. O what a glorious thought! It makes my heart rejoice while I am writing. If we live faithful, you and I, with all the people of God, shall soon meet where parting will be no more in that beautiful city. Yours in hope of eternal life,
D. F. SHIREMAN.
West Union, Fayette Co. Iowa.