Preparing for the Latter Rain
By George W. Amadon
DEAR BRETHREN:—It is a solemn fact that we are in the sealing Message, when a work is being done for us that will last through the ages of eternity. It is nearly three years since the glorious truth appeared to my mind that the Law of the Lord was perfect; and, being so perfecting in its nature, would eventually award continual life to its zealous followers. The light now shed by the Third Angel's Message is brilliant, but as the pathway of the just, it will grow brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. And the truth will surely accomplish its work on earth, because it has such an excellent foundation—the Commandments of God and the Faith of his only begotten Son. There is no halting of the work now going on under the administration of the Third Angel, backed up as it is by the Spirit of God, and subsequently to be accomplished under the manifestation of the latter rain. O, brethren, the prospect of the remnant in a little from this is melting. It is true we shall have an abundance of trials, but they will only minister for us an abundant entrance into the city made for the saints of God. It has often been a query in my mind what the condition of the remnant would be just before the latter rain which wakes up the saints anew for the kingdom: whether they would merely company with the small flock, observe the Sabbath, and attend the stated meetings, or whether they would be in a waiting, watching, confessing attitude, crying and sighing for the abominations done in the land. I do now confess my belief that it is only such as are living godly in Christ Jesus, at the time of the latter rain, who will be refreshed by that heavenly shower: and it is my inmost longing to so follow Jesus, that when the great refreshing time arrives, I may be baptized with the Spirit of heaven; then I can safely pass through the time of trouble, and for ever exult in the riches of saving grace. "Watch ye therefore, and PRAY ALWAYS," is the admonition of Jesus to the remnant, and he gives a good reason: "that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that shall come to pass, and so stand before the Son of man;" "for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Here are two important facts revealed: 1. There are but two classes alive when the Son of man comes; "ye" and "them," or good and bad; "the one will be taken and the other left." 2. The dwellers upon earth in the last time are to be caught as in a snare: while those only who are sojourners, Abraham like, will be immortalized in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. That we may all take heed to ourselves, lest at any time our hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon us unawares, is the prayer of your brother in Christ.
G. W. AMADON.
Battle Creek, Mich.