Present Truth and Christian Responsibility
By B. F. Weed
BRO. SMITH :—I still rejoice in God for the present truth. We are yet trying to keep all the Commandments, though we receive the scoffs and ridicule of friends and professed Christians who are still rejecting the truth. I praise the Lord that the light of his word is still shining out on our pathway, that we have been brought to see that we are living in the Laodicean state of the church. Our daily prayer is to God that we may buy of him gold tried in the fire that we may be rich, and white raiment that we may be clothed, and to anoint our eyes with eye-salve that we may see. I feel to praise the Lord that the purifying process is going on. God's people are to be purified from all dross, purged as silver and gold, and made white. We have a great work before us. Let us arise above the things of this world and have our thoughts and conversation more in heaven. Though we may have many trials and afflictions here, let us not be weighed down with these things, but realize that these light afflictions which are but for a moment, will work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Brethren and sisters, do we realize as we ought, the responsibility that rests upon us? Do we at all times let our light shine as we ought? Do we keep ourselves unspotted from the world? Must we not to have our skirts clear from the blood of souls? Certainly. Then let us see to it that their blood shall not be required at our hands. I believe that the time is short, and that what we have to do must be done quickly. I praise the Lord for the promise that if he went away he would come again, and receive us to himself, that where he is there we may be also. Let us hold on and hold out; for to such only is the promise. Such only will have an entrance in through the gates into the city, and walk the golden streets of the new earth, where all trials will be over, where there will be no sickness, sorrow nor death, where all will be peace and harmony, where we shall sing the song of Moses and the Lamb for ever. B. F. WEED.
Middle Grove, N. Y.