DEAR BRETHREN, scattered abroad: The past must convince you that our position, relative to the Advent movement, is correct, and that God is with those who confess the past to be from heaven, and a fulfillment of the first two angels of Rev. xiv, connected with other scriptures, and who are now believing and proclaiming the glorious truths connected with the third angel's message.
Three years ago but few of you were keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. Since that time, the number of Sabbath-keepers have increased beyond the expectation of all those that were then trying to put forth their feeble efforts, under very unfavorable circumstances, to spread the light of present truth. But God has blessed every effort, and crowned their labors with success. They have had the pleasure of seeing hundreds of their brethren confess the truth, and rejoice with them in the glorious light of the third message. A view of the instrumentality which God has seen fit to employ, in connection with the effects produced, will show that "this is the Lord's doing, and marvelous in our eyes."
Many of our fathers in the Gospel have, no doubt, desired to see the day which we see approaching, that have fallen asleep in Jesus. For us who now live, is reserved the most important period that man ever saw on earth; the time when the world and church are folding up for the judgment, when the last leaves of prophecy are unfolding to our view, and the last promise of God will be verified to his chosen people; the time when the servants of God are giving the last solemn, and fearful warning to a lukewarm church, when the nations are angry, and the three unclean spirits are going to the kings of the earth, and to the whole world to gather them to the great battle of God Almighty; the time when the remnant of Israel are being gathered to scatter no more, when the four angels are holding the four winds, until the servants of our God are sealed in their foreheads, while the Great High Priest is pleading the merits of his own blood before the mercy-seat, which is upon the ark of his testament, and cleansing the Sanctuary from the uncleanness of the children of Israel, which he will soon leave, to plead no more for fallen man; the time when the great day of the Lord hasteth greatly, when the voice of God will shake the heavens and the earth, and the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God, and those that sleep in Jesus will come forth with glorified bodies, the living that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will be changed and caught up with them to meet the Lord.
My brethren, do you not discern the signs of the times? Yes, I think you do. Then what a thrilling time! What a fearful period! Let us arouse ourselves, and put on the whole armor. Let us be like servants who wait for their Lord. If we believe these things, let us show our faith by our works; by doing all the commandments; by faithfully discharging every known duty; by doing what we can to spread the light and truth to others; by encouraging those dear servants who are willing to labor night and day to publish the truth you so much love. You know how your souls were fed with the precious truths sent out in the paper, now will you feed others? Are we all doing what we can to carry forward this glorious warfare. The enemy is coming in like a flood, shall we not anew engage in the work and all move on together to the onset. Yes brethren, by the command of our Great Leader, Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, we will go on to victory and glory. Bring in your whole strength to the field, give your enemies no advantage over you. Put on the whole armor. Be of good courage, and fear not, for the ark of God is taken from the Philistines and brought into the camp of Israel. The enemies will flee before the ark, and the saints will take the kingdom.
What shall I say? I will say rejoice; for salvation is ours, and our redemption draweth nigh. I will say with the Apostle, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Your trials are preparing you for the kingdom. The time is at hand. Be watchful, be prayerful, and contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. If any sick among you, follow the New Testament rule, and honor God by believing his word. I want to see you all and talk with you face to face. But I hope soon to meet you where there will be no foes to face, where the last enemy, death, will be conquered, and the family of the redeemed meet in one general assembly. Therefore let me persuade you to be faithful, even unto the end.
ELDER HOLT:
If we believe we shall soon stand before the Son of man, will it not prompt us to have our work done and well done? So that we be not ashamed before him at his coming. Shall we not be very humble? Shall we not have our conversation in heaven, and shall we not lay up our treasure there? Shall we not rejoice in tribulation, and count it all joy, when we fall into divers temptations, knowing that the trial of our faith is more precious than gold which perisheth. When our opponents resort to falsehood, for argument against the truth, instead of taking the Bible and pointing out our error, and speak all manner of evil against us, instead of praying for and weeping over us, Should we not rejoice and be exceeding glad that our reward is great in heaven? Yes, for Jesus has told us so to do. Let none of these things move you. Jesus has suffered before you. The servant is not above his Lord.
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss." 2 Cor. xiii, 11, 12.
Your brother, choosing to suffer affliction with the people of God,