Profiting by Affliction
By Willard Holden
DEAR BRO. WHITE :—I still feel that the Lord is good to me, although I have been passing through scenes of deep affliction for some time past, and have felt the chastening rod. My prayer is, Father, thy will be done; chasten me according to thy righteousness; prepare me to dwell in thy peaceful kingdom, where the saints of all ages shall meet. My desire is that I may profit by these light afflictions which are but for a moment, that they may work out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Dear Bro. I think I can sympathize with you and those of like precious faith, in the trials of the present time. Indeed, may we not expect the enemy to be more and more enraged as he sees his destiny approaching. Praise God, his truth will yet triumph. The last solemn message to this poor fallen world must go with its loud cry, the jewels must be gathered into the casket, yes, the hundred and forty-four thousand will gain the victory, and with the Lamb stand on the mount Zion. I want to be there to help swell the notes, to sing the conqueror's song, he has redeemed us by his blood. O that blood, of the Lamb of God which was spilt for you and me, which taketh away the sin of the world. May we not lift up our heads and rejoice, when we see the signs thickening around us, portrayed in the word of God? That which he has purposed to do for his little flock, is soon to be realized by all the faithful followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Yes, the kingdom long promised will soon be given. I feel there is nothing here which can endure but a short time; all is fast passing away. No house or lands do I possess,
Nor wish to in this wilderness;
I want a home among the pure,
A home forever to endure.
Dear brethren and sisters, knowing that we have a friend in heaven whose care is for us, let us rejoice and press forward until we gain the prize. What if some do forsake us and become our worst enemies? This will not hinder us, praise God. We want to wear the crown, pass those pearly gates, to walk those streets of gold, see the King in his beauty, and if others will not go with us then we will go alone. My mind often dwells on the great contrast which is soon to be realized throughout all nature, this sin cursed earth, and the earth when restored back to its primeval bloom. Here the curse is seen and felt in various forms, here the thorn, the brier and the thistle; but there, instead of the thorn shall spring up the fir-tree, for the brier the myrtle, the pine and the box-tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious, saith the Lord. Art thou sick and suffering with severe pain in the body? there it will be all gone forever. "The inhabitants shall not say, I am sick, and the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity." Art thou blind or deaf? "Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. There shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." "O, 'tis a world most bright,
No more death, nor woe, nor night,
Faith views it with delight,
Knowing 'tis sure."
Here we part but there we meet; here is mourning, but there will be rejoicing; here sickness and death, but there health, and life eternal. We will then sing, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory." Brethren, my heart says praise the Lord. "We'll gladly exchange a world like this,
Where death triumphant reigns,
For a beautiful home in that land of bliss,
Where all is happiness, joy and peace,
And nothing can enter that pains,
There is no more sorrow, and no more night,
For the darkness shall flee away.
The crucified Lamb is its glorious light,
And the saints shall walk with him in white,
In that happy eternal day."
Truly this will be a glorious home, a home for all the faithful. O that I may be counted as one of them. My brethren, you who have been called to proclaim the last message of mercy to poor fallen man, be faithful to your trust. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Your brother in hope. WILLARD HOLDEN.
Jackson, Mich., Apr. 11th, 1855.