Put On the Gospel Armor
By Frances Strong
Dear Bro. White:—The little church in this place feel the necessity of being awake, and in some degree realize the importance of the time in which we live, and the need of buckling on the whole armor in order to stand against all the wiles of the enemy. I feel that if there ever was a time when we need the gospel armor on, it is now, just as we are nearing the port of eternal blessedness, the haven of everlasting rest; and remember that we are on enchanted ground, where if we stop to rest there is danger of falling asleep. I feel for one that I cannot stop short of the prize. I am resolved to travel on untill I see the inside of the golden city, the new Jerusalem, which John saw coming down from God out of heaven. Look up brethren for now are we nearer than when we first believed; for his salvation is near to come and his glory to be revealed; who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords; and if faithful a little longer we shall be where death can never come, and sin and sorrow no more be found, but where will be one eternal round of glory. Eternity will not be too long to praise him in; for,
> "When we've been there ten thousand years,
> Bright shining as the sun,
> We've no less days to sing God's praise
> Than when we first begun." O let every one who sees this glorious prize just before them, try and see if they can get some one to go along with them. Every one can do a little good, there have been a few of late added to our number here and more are investigating the subject. The Lord will favor his righteous cause. Blessed are they that do his commandwents, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. I want to live in that low, humble place where I can have the smiles of my blessed Saviour, and meet with his approbation from day to day, that I may gain strength in his strength and grow in grace and a more thorough knowledge of the truth: in a word, I want the whole faith of Jesus:152it is the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus which will enable us to stand through the time of trouble such as never was, when we shall have to stand before God without a mediator. Then he that is holy, will be holy still, and he that is filthy will be filthy still; and behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be. There have been some of the messengers of Satan sent here, or the so-called "Messenger of Truth," but they found no place among us, no not for an hour. I would say to those who have turned aside from following the truth, retrace your steps, mend your ways, and make your peace with God now, yes now, before it is everlastingly too late, before the Judge shall arise and shut the door, and ye begin to knock, and say, Lord, Lord, open unto us. Yours in hope, and love of the truth.
FRANCES STRONG.
Milton, N. Y., Dec. 14th, 1854.