Unity in the Third Angel’s Message
By Electa Richmond
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It is with pleasure we read the Review, and feel to praise the Lord for the Spirit of union it manifests. I believe the true church of God will be of one heart and one mind; and that our Saviour's prayer will be answered, that his children might be one, even as he and his Father are one. We are passing through trials, and we feel to mourn and pray earnestly for God to send us help from the heavenly Sanctuary. I praise the Lord for his merciful kindness unto us in giving us the third angel's message to separate us from the world. O that we were more consecrated to the will of the Lord. I believe the Lord will save all that are willing to abide by his word. It is about twenty-five years since I commenced trying to serve the Lord; and when I see how imperfect all my services have been, I feel to praise the Lord that he has been so merciful to me, that he has not withdrawn his Spirit from me and left me in darkness. O how wonderful is his love towards us! He looks upon the poor and afflicted ones, and does not despise their prayers. I have had many trials to pass through; but I know that these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, will work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen. What are temporal things compared with spiritual; what are trials compared with the glory that is to be revealed when Jesus comes and we are made like him, and freed from the temptations of the enemy. I feel to praise the Lord for that blessed hope, and am determined by his grace, to strive to enter in at the strait gate. Jesus says, except we forsake all that we have, we cannot be his disciples. May we be enabled to keep all the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus, is my prayer. Your sister, striving for the kingdom.
ELECTA RICHMOND.
Ashfield, Mass., June, 1853.