Preparing for Christ’s Soon Coming
By S. B. Warren
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: You who are trying to keep all the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, be assured my heart is with you in the great work of preparing for the soon coming of our Saviour. I truly believe what is recorded in the first chapter of Acts: "This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Every honest soul is willing to admit upon a careful perusal of the Scriptures, that an abundance of testimony can be brought forward to prove that the second coming of Jesus is very near at hand. But O, how few honest souls do we find in the world. The great majority of mankind had much rather feast upon fables, and that which will please the ear or the eye than to search for God's precious truth. But brethren and sisters, notwithstanding there are so few who are honest, yet we may be encouraged with the thought that God truly has a remnant, who are preparing and getting ready for the great day of his wrath. When I reflect upon the great goodness of God to me, one so unworthy, and think of the precious truths his Spirit has unfolded to my mind, I am led to inquire, O Lord, shall my name be engraven among the righteous ones? Shall I be permitted finally to stand upon mount Zion with the redeemed? By the help of that God in whom Gideon and all the faithful prophets and christians have trusted, I mean to overcome. I want to be among that number that shall seek humility, that shall seek meekness. I want my own will subdued. I want to confess all my wrongs and take everything out of the way that will hinder my own progress towards mount Zion, or that which I may have laid in the way of my brother or sister. I have great reason to praise God that he has cast my lot among such brethren and sisters: those who have felt and manifested a deep interest for my soul's eternal welfare. I am truly convinced that not only has God manifested a great care for me, but the church has also cared for me. I might have sunk down in despondency and now been beyond the call of mercy; but I have seen that evidence among Commandment-keepers which has convinced me that they are their brother's keeper. My earnest prayer to God has been that he would strip me from all self-righteousness, and give me the righteousness of Jesus Christ. My soul sickens to see so much dead formality and spiritual death settling down on those who profess to be looking for the coming of Jesus. O God, help us to arouse and get out of this lukewarm state and live out our profession before the world. Let us be very careful how we walk and talk, lest we grieve the Spirit of God and bring his frowns upon us. Your unworthy brother seeking for immortality at the appearing of Jesus.
S. B. WARREN.
Battle Creek, Mich., Oct. 19th, 1856.