Preparing for Christ’s Coming
By E. S. Sheffield
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I feel to rejoice that we can hear from one another through the Review, although we shall not all see each other's faces, until the coming of the great Redeemer. But how cheering the thought that we shall all meet together then, if faithful according to the grace given. Oh, the thought, what a day will that be to all who are not found ready and waiting! What! can it be possible that any who have embraced the third angel's message, will be found in that day not ready? Yes: there is a class represented as not having on the wedding garment. Momentous question, To which class shall I belong? O for more consecration of soul! Who can endure the thought, but for a moment, of being left in that great day! I feel to tremble when I read that none but the pure in heart can see God, and live; none but the merciful shall obtain mercy; none but the peace-makers shall be called the children of God. What a glorious day will shortly dawn upon all those who shall be found prepared, and shall be counted worthy to stand before the Son of man; but who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire. Mal. iii, 2. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart shall stand. It is my desire and determination to strive to overcome. I know that we must overcome evil with good, if we would be like our Master. How necessary that our words be pure; that we imitate our heavenly Father; for our Master has told us to be perfect even as our Father. We are told that every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him; [Prov. xxx, 5;] but cursed be the man that trusteth in man. Let us not look to the arm of flesh, but trust in the Lord. What if fiery trials await us, if they do but consume the dross, and purify the silver and gold! How needful that we pass through them! Many shall be purified, made white and tried. Here is the patience of the saints. I believe that trials, if rightly understood, and patiently borne, often prove of the greatest benefit, by showing the evil in our own heart. When we can bear all things patiently, with a meek spirit, we can feel a consolation in the words of Jesus when he said, "Be of good cheer: I have overcome the world." I feel that I can say, Let worldly minds the world pursue,
It has no charms for me;
Once I admired its trifles too,
But grace has set me free. I expect a rough and thorny road to pass through to the celestial city. My Redeemer trod the same rough, yea, rougher, pathway, to purchase it for me; and he has said that all that endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. I feel that the prize that is laid up at the end of the race, will far outweigh all that we have to endure here; but my best enjoyment here is in contemplating the glory soon to be revealed. How bright the truth shines to all who are willing to obey. Truly it is a shining light, and it does shine brighter and brighter as we are approaching the perfect day. I know that we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we believed in the speedy coming of Jesus, and the third angel's message, as the last message of mercy to the world before the appearing of the Son of man. Your brother, striving to be ready,
E. S. SHEFFIELD.
Koskonong, Wis., Dec, 19th, 1853,