DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am truly grateful to my heavenly Parent that I am counted worthy to be numbered with those who are keeping the commandments of God, and earnestly contending for the faith of Jesus. Though this subjects us to many a severe conflict with the Enemy of all righteousness: [Rev. xii, 17:] "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." And though we are called to leave behind many friends, whom we have loved well, and are often buffeted and smitten by those denying the "power" of godliness, (though not destitute of the "form,") and though all manner of evil be said of us falsely for Christ's sake, yet who that desires to enjoy the blessing with which the path of the righteous is strewn, would not patiently and gladly bear all this for Christ's sake? "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. But rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings: that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you." Phil. i, 29; 1 Pet. iv, 13, 14. I choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. O, may the Lord lead us out into the suffering part of the Christian religion. Brethren, will you go? My heart says I will go. I will not fear the conflict with the dragon. It is by the way of the cross that I desire heaven. Yea, it is by the way of the cross that I expect to reach a home in175glory. "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke xiv, 27.
Come, brethren, let us not sleep as do others!—Let us not fear the suffering part of religion. For it is through "much tribulation" that we shall enter into the kingdom of God. Glory to God, my soul is happy in view of the prospect that lies before the people of God. Dear brethren, "call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of affliction. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; (i. e., in the "little while," in which we are living;) but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Heb. x, 32, 35–38. O, may God forbid that we should be among those that "draw back unto perdition," but let us rather be among those that "believe to the saving of the soul."