Heeding the Laodicean Message
By Wesley Holden
Bro. Smith: While hearing Bro. White and others preach on the message to the Laodiceans, and reading the many cheering epistles in the Review from the lonely pilgrims scattered abroad, acknowledging its application to us, I thought probably it was truth, and at times felt some the importance of arising, but hardly knew how. Thus time passed on until quite lately, when a chastening came. I have truly felt that this was from the Lord, and would kiss the rod that made me smart. I can now see that my feet were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipped. As described in the message, I was wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, naked, and knew it not. I thought I was doing quite well. I still fear that I do not sufficiently realize the great importance of obeying this message. The thought of its being the last message to the church, and its having now been sounding some time makes me feel that I must make a start or be spued out of the mouth of the Saviour. May the Lord lend me his helping hand that I with you may heed its warning, and anoint my eyes with eye-salve that I may see and confess all my sins, and have them blotted out when Jesus leaves the Sanctuary. By comparing the present with the past I think I can see that a change has come over me. Twelve or fourteen years ago, when the cry came Fear God and give glory to him, &c. there was love kindled in my soul, burning bright for the coming of Christ. I realized something of what was to he accomplished by his coming; that the pilgrim sleepers who have long been slumbering in the dust would awake, the living be changed, and they unite to take their flight from earth to meet him in the air and live in a fairer clime as children of one Father's happy, immortal family. But alas! there has been change. I wish it were not so, that I did not find myself in such a lukewarm condition. I am resolved to search and find the cause in season to save my soul. Yes let the world have and love its own! give me Jesus. I want the life that he is coming to give the faithful expectants of their Lord. The question has arisen in my mind, did Noah most condemn the world by word or by works! Heb. xi, 7 says he prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Let me do as did righteous Noah, and rise to meet my Lord when he comes. I really expect that in a little while from this the saints will go from earth to meet and stand with the Lamb on mount Zion. Who of us will be there? Yours hoping to heed the message and arise; to rise yet once again when Jesus comes, and meet you in a fairer clime.
W. HOLDEN.
Battle Creek, June 5th, 1857.