The Promised Inheritance
By Elizabeth Hutchins
Dear Brethren and Sisters: As I have often been cheered by the warm-hearted epistles from the dear saints scattered abroad, I wish also to speak in honor of my Master's cause. Though I do not feel capable of edifying any, I yet expect to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. There is a glorious prospect before us. The King is soon coming in his beauty to take his suffering children from this world of sorrow and affliction to the holy city where we shall suffer no more; where sin cannot annoy us; where clouds cannot intervene between us and our Saviour; but where we can behold his beauty and loveliness, and the holy angels too that are now so interested for us. We shall soon see the glorious city, the streets that are paved with gold, the gates that are of pearls, the beautiful tree of life with its immortal fruit, and the river of life so clear and beautiful. Dear brethren and sisters, can it be that the Lord has prepared so glorious a place for us, poor sinful creatures as we are? Yes, his word declares it. Then let us be faithful, for only the faithful shall inherit it. The promise is to Abraham and his seed. None are Abraham's children but they that do the works of Abraham. I believe that here in this earth Abraham and his children shall inherit the promised possession. When the earth shall be restored to its Eden state, and the holy city shall be the capital, then love and harmony shall prevail; then "Peace shall smile from shore to shore,
And nations shall learn war no more."
"O glorious land! O blest abode!
We shall be there, and like our Lord." But we are now in a vast, howling wilderness, beset as it were with ravenous beasts of prey, ready to devour at every step; and the Devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may destroy. We are truly in the perils of the last days. O how many are deceived by the delusions of Satan! But I rejoice in the Lord for the light of present truth, and thank him for a heart to try to obey it. O let us all be faithful and heed the counsel of the true Witness, and have on the wedding garment. I truly feel that we are in a land of sickness and sorrow; but we have cheering prospects of a better country. I realize that we are in danger of being overcome by the enemy; but the blessed Jesus has promised to be with us, If he is for us, who can be against us? O how many precious promises he has left to encourage us! For one I am determined by assisting grace to go through to the city. I often feel tired and weary of this world of pain and death, and long for the land where the inhabitants shall not say, I am sick. I love to think the time is near, and I want to be ready. Dear brethren and sisters, pray for me, a poor, weak creature with very feeble health, and many cares. I do truly need the prayers of God's children to help me bear the trials that I have to pass through. But bless the dear Lord, the promise is to them that overcome. Yours striving for eternal life. Ballville, Ohio, Aug. 4th, 1858.