A Pilgrim and Stranger
By R. B. Wheeler
I LOVE to hear through the Review from the scattered flock of my Father's family. I can truly say I feel like a pilgrim and a stranger here in this wicked world; but the end is near. Soon it will be said, "Thrust in thy sickle and reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe." O who will be able to stand? Those who have clean hands and a pure heart; who have kept the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus. I am frequently told by those who profess much love to God, but are trampling upon his fourth command, that Jesus says, "Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you." I refer them to our blessed Saviour's teaching on the Mount. If he does not especially refer to the Law and the Ten Commandments, I must give up all hope of ever understanding any portion of the Holy Scriptures. But thanks be to God, although darkness has covered the earth, and gross darkness the people, we are not left without light in our dwellings. We have his unadulterated word, which is as a light to our feet and a lamp to our path. O how I love its contents. Truly I esteem it more than my necessary food, "it is sweeter than honey or the honey-comb." How important it is to have our loins girt and lamps burning, and that we be on the watch expecting the blessed Jesus, for he told his disciples that if he went away, he would come again, and receive them unto himself. O how precious are his promises! God has in much love and mercy given us signs when his coming draws near. Nearly all the way-marks are already passed; and the signs which surround us bespeak the speedy approach of our coming King. Little will it profit us in the coming day to profess to be the Lord's, if we do not his works. He has set us the example, let us imitate him. He went about doing good. He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. O brethren and sisters let us be watchful, prayerful and overcome all our evil propensities. Our God will give us grace to conquer all our foes. We must be pure and holy. Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full. "Prayer makes the darkest cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love;
Brings every blessing from above." R. B. WHEELER.
Worcester Co., Mass.