To the Saints Scattered Abroad.
By S. W. Rhodes
DEAR FRIENDS IN CHRIST:—My heart yearns over the scattered remnant of God's peeled people, while I reflect upon the many devices of the Devil, and snares set by him, to deceive, catch and destroy those who would serve God. The unhallowed influences of dark spirits have thickened fast during a few years past. Paul hath said, (speaking of the last days,) "wicked men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." Again he said, "that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, (faith of Jesus,) giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils."—When I look into the periodicals of the day, and see in most of them, something said about the signs and wonders now accomplished by rapology, mesmerism, &c., I am confident the "devil has come down having great wrath knowing that he hath but a short time."—There is seemingly almost every thing in the world, at the present day, that art and devils can invent to captivate the soul, steal the affections, and draw the mind away from God and heaven. My soul longs after the afflicted and poor people, who are "sighing over the abominations (or works of the devil) in the land." "My heart's desire and prayer to God is," that his people may not be deceived by any of those "spirits of devils," or men who do not speak "according to the law and the testimony." I wrestle with God that his people "be not overcharged with the cares of this life," and that they fail not of a present salvation from sin, and a perfect preparation to stand in the last, mighty conflict that God's saints will soon have with the image of the beast. We shall need to be well equipped for the battle, and thoroughly acquainted with the weapons (word of God) of our warfare, if we would be victors in the final struggle. Would it not be wisdom in us now to make the most diligent use of all the means of grace within our reach, and avail ourselves of every privilege which God shall give us, to provide for ourselves a covering, a safe retreat, sure-hiding place against the day of wrath, the day of this world's doom, that day "when all nature shall struggle in the pangs of death." O, let us seek, day by day, with unwearied zeal and diligence to know and obey the whole truth of God, that we may indeed be sealed or marked, that no plague come nigh our dwelling. Our moments are none to many, if they all should (with the wisdom of the Lord) be used to the best advantage, in bringing our senses, our faculties, our members, and finally, our entire being into subjection to the will of God. I am sure God's word requires us to be holy, and without fault, like the first fruit, and that we lift up to him holy hands without wrath or doubting. We must render to God, our bodies, living sacrifices, holy and acceptable which is our reasonable service. We must draw nearer and nearer to God by active faith (a faith made perfect by works) in Christ till we reflect (in a comparative degree) all the graces, characteristics, and admirable comeliness of him who is our perfect pattern, and who is the express image of his Father's person. This is a great work, but it must be accomplished; for it is written, "without holiness no man can see the Lord." "He that can receive it let him receive it." I am sure that the "grace of God is sufficient for us," while we strive to accomplish this great and glorious work of transforming our minds, into the mind of Christ. We must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth till we come to a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. What a vast work must be done for us before we can abide the day of his coming or stand when he appeareth. How sublime and awfully grand will be the scenes of the day of his coming, and the change from mortal to immortality at his appearing. Immortality! How sweet the word. Can such poor worms as we obtain it? Through Christ, who brought life and immortality to light, we may. Dearly beloved, do let us willingly and cheerfully "labor to enter into that rest which remains for the people of God." Let us make every effort to save ourselves and others. Do meditate on these things day and night.—Let us willingly sacrifice ease, pleasure, pride, the love of the world, earthly friends, and count all things earthly but dross if we may but win Christ, and dwell for ever with God and his angels. Heaven is a glorious place, and can only be purchased at the expense of all sublunary things. "Except a man forsake all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple," saith Jesus. The above few lines express some of my meditations, feelings and faith. I am fully resolved by the grace of God, to win Christ, and see the inside of the New Jerusalem, and with unveiled eyes gaze with admiration upon our adorable Redeemer, and mingle eternally my highest note in songs of praise to God, with saints and angels. Will you go with me to the holy land, and view the celestial plains, and fruitful fields of earth renewed? Will you meet me there, and eat bread and drink wine with the exalted Son of God, and dwell for ever amid the glories of Paradise restored? Then gird on the whole armor of God and live by all his word. Will you have all your senses and faculties refined and glorified, and eternally satiated with the riches, beauty, music and consummate bliss and glory of heaven? Then fall in love with God and his law, and Jesus and his faith, and you may enter in through the gates into the City. While I write, my soul is wrapped up by faith, in bright views of the future, while my heart and flesh cry out after the living God. O, what are all our sufferings here, if we can but only enter there? Your servant in Christ, S. W. RHODES.