The Review Strengthens the Faithful
By A. M. Lindsley
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—In the midst of darkness that has covered the earth and gross darkness that has blinded the minds of the people, the Review comes to cheer and strengthen the hearts of a few in this place. O, what precious food it brings to my soul. May God grant that the seed sown, the instruction dispensed through this little messenger may spring up, and bear fruit, yea an hundred fold to the glory of God. While some around me are crying, "Fools to believe such doctrine," "so many isms," &c. I feel to rejoice in God that his truth is surely destined to triumph. Yes, we may venture all upon it. Although wicked men may unite to oppose, yet their counsel shall not stand; for God has said, "My word shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please." Isa. lv, 11. I am strikingly reminded by some, of the parable of the rich man (Luke xii, 2,) whose ground brought forth plentifully. "And he said, This will I do; I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods176laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? It seems to be a perfect parallel to this time when multitudes are heaping treasure together for many years, and crying, Peace, when there is no peace. But, "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth." Jer. xxv, 32, 33. O the bitter, bitter cup of those who reject the counsel of God against themselves, and turn a deaf ear to the last message of mercy. Rather give me the narrow way to life. "The humble path my Saviour walked,
I scorn it not to tread;
Though the frowns and scoffs my Saviour bore
Shall fall upon my head.
For I stand upon his precious word,
And my soul rejoiceth free,
In the glorious light the gospel gives,
The light that shines for me." Dear brethren and sisters, let us earnestly seek wisdom from above that we may understand the work God is doing for the remnant in these last days. And we be better prepared to let our light shine to those around us. If we be the children of Abraham and followers of Christ, we shall not be laying foundation for future ease and worldly comfort. But on the contrary we shall be cutting loose from every thing that will hold our minds from the last sealing truth, and be rich towards God in faith and good works, even keeping all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. O how solemn to live in this time when a people are being prepared for translation. It seems to me there never was a period when each moment was fraught with such fearful interest as the present. Probation's hours are fast drawing to a close. The last moments in which any poor soul may come and find pardon through the intercessions of Jesus in the heavenly Sanctuary are passing away, and soon the overflowing scourge will pass through the land that it shall be utterly desolated of its inhabitants. O God, send out thy light and thy truth speedily that honest souls may see their danger and flee from the wrath to come. Brethren pray for us. A. M. LINDSLEY. New Haven, Os. Co., N. Y. June 23d, 1854.