p. 55 | COMMUNICATIONS by David Arnold

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 18, 1856

COMMUNICATIONS.

By David Arnold

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."

From Bro. Arnold.

BRO. SMITH: I feel heartily to respond to the sentiment advanced by the brethren in the Review in reference to the Laodicean church. I have for some time believed that it applied directly to those who are at the present time professing to keep the Commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus.

I think this point must be conceded by all, when we take in view the time in which we live. Having passed from the first advent down through the clear development of all the peculiar traits of character which were to mark the six stages of the church, are we not brought to behold among us a clear and definite exhibition of all those traits which were given by the faithful and true Witness, to mark the seventh and last state of the church? I think we are. Such being the facts before us, with what fearful sanction do the denunciation and admonition of the faithful and true Witness fall on our ears: "So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

Dear reader, is it I, to whom this awfully solemn message applies? If so, let us with all diligence, (in view of our doom if we neglect,) thoroughly and zealously repent and reform, (Whiting's Trans.,) lest we find ourselves "without," among "dogs," sorcerers, &c. O let not these things fall upon your ears like idle tales. Haste! haste! tarry not in all the plain!

"Stay not, O stay not for earth's vain allurements, See how its glory is passing away, Break the strong fetters the foe hath bound o'er thee, Heir of the kingdom, turn turn, thee away."

A word in reference to the "gold, white raiment and eye-salve," and how to "open the door."

I fully agree with some that have written, that gold being the most precious of all metals fitly represents charity or love, which is the greatest or crowning-grace. The white raiment is fully explained in chap. xix, 8. Zephaniah, in view of the fierce anger of the Lord, and the day's passing as the chaff, says: [chap. ii, 3:] "Seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid, (or clothed.) in the day of the Lord's anger." The eye-salve which we are required to apply, may fitly represent the turning our attention and perceptions more closely to the clear and definite truths connected with the Third Angel's Message, praying the Holy Spirit to set them home to our understanding that we may clearly understand the duties and obligations that rest upon us in these last moments of probation.

How shall we open the door, that he may come in and sup with us? This is the point, says one, I have desired much to understand. This caused me, while I have desired with strong cries, and tears, and entreaties that Christ would come in and take up his constant abode and sup with me and I with him, to inquire, Why does he not come in? Ah, it will take something more than good desires. Have you prepared the room as well as invited the guest? Is there not some guest retained there that he cannot associate or dwell with? Is your heart a fit temple for the Holy Ghost to dwell in? Can he dwell with the spirit of the world, with pride or self-will, with the fumes of tobacco or whisky, or, in short, any thing that defiles the temple of God? O what a work we have to do to buy gold tried in the fire, to obtain the white raiment, and to anoint our eyes with eye-salve, and to open the door.

In view of this great work, were it not that Christ hath said, My grace is sufficient for thee, and the glorious promise of the faithful and true Witness, To him that overcometh, &c., I might faint by the way. But with these precious promises in view, I am resolved with the little church in this place, in the strength of Christ to overcome, and set down with Christ in his throne.

Your brother striving for the victory. DAVID ARNOLD. Fulton, N. Y., Dec., 1st, 1856.