Hewed for the Building
By R. J. Kellogg
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—We are strong in all the present truth, and trying to overcome every thing that is wrong in the sight of God. How pure and holy the people of God must be to stand in the trying time that is coming. My mind has been drawn up to the subject of being hewed by the prophets. When a man prepares timber for a building he cannot leave the bark and limbs upon it: it must be hewed to the line. So we must be hewed for the building which will come together without the sound of a hammer. We must have all pride, selfishness and love of the world overcome and be pure in heart and in life. We must let the third angel's message have its sanctifying influence upon the heart. We must show to the world that we are the peculiar people zealous of good works. My mind has been exercised upon this subject for some time. I fear we are not half aware of the devices of Satan in these last days. I fear we do not feel the danger we are in of being overcome by the enemy. He is trying every possible way to draw us astray. We must watch and pray much that we may have grace to overcome. We must have the prize which lies at the end of the race before us to encourage us on in this trying time. My heart yearns over the people of God. I fear lest many who profess present truth may come short and not stand in the time of trouble. O let us strive for the unity of the faith and love one another with pure hearts fervently. We have but little time in which to get ready. We must be pure, without spot or wrinkle in our garments. We must be Christians in every respect. Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. I mourn over the children of the remnant. O the responsibility that rests upon parents! Do parents feel the responsibility that is resting upon them? Do parents feel that the salvation of their children depends upon the instruction they give them? Much has been said upon this subject, yet I fear that parents do not feel the duty they owe to God in this respect. Do you foster pride in yourself and your children, and do you get impatient with them? If so you can but expect they will manifest the same spirit: children will follow the bad examples of their parents. Have you ever thought how you would feel to see your children (whom you think it so hard to see punished for their faults now) suffering beneath the seven last plagues which are soon coming upon the ungodly world. God cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance in us or our children. Do you think you can see your children suffering beneath the wrath of God, and your garments be pure in the sight of God? Do you not know that the sins of your children are at your door? We must get right ourselves before we can be prepared to get our children right. Dear brethren and sisters, let us be faithful, live humble, do our duty, and trust in God. He says, My grace is sufficient for you. I feel strong in the Lord that he is able to bring us off victorious. If we are faithful a little longer we shall see the King in his beauty. Your unworthy sister, striving for eternal life.
R. J. KELLOGG.
Jackson, Mich., Jan. 4th, 1855.