Letter from Bro. Bordeaux.
By A. C. Bordeaux
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS:—I was thinking to-day, how the wicked mock and reproach us for keeping God's commandments and believing his truth; and while I was thinking of the many trials and tribulations we have to meet with in these last days, the comforting words of David came into my mind, [Ps. xxxvii, 39, 40.] "The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him." It seems as though the Psalmist well understood that all those who are turning to the Lord, and are trying to do according to his holy requirements, must expect to meet with many afflictions and tribulations, when he said, [Ps. xxxiv, 19.] "Many are the afflictions of the righteous," &c. And Paul well understood it, when he exhorted the disciples to continue in the faith, and that they must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts xiv, 22. But, blessed be God, they did not leave them without a word of consolation. The first points the righteous to an Almighty Deliverer: "But the Lord delivereth him out of them all." The latter points the disciples to the place of the habitation of that Almighty Deliverer: "into the kingdom of God." O how often are we almost ready to murmur against God while we are sojourning from the land of Egypt to the land of Canaan! "The patience of the saints" does not consist in so-doing. If we possess the true patience we will find the consolation of the Christian's hope to be very great, in sickness and health, in prosperity and adversity; we will not be discouraged at trials, but bear them cheerfully, remembering that our light afflictions which are but for a moment, shall work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory! Said our Saviour, [John xiv, 1-3.] "Let not your hearts be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions," &c. Moses was not troubled when he led the children of Israel into the Red Sea upon the dry ground, and when Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego disregarded the decree of the king, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace, they were not troubled. Neither was Daniel troubled when he was cast into the den of lions. They all trusted in their God, and God delivered them out of the hands of their enemies. Let us also trust in God and he will deliver us out of all our troubles. We must not faint in view of the perils of the last days. We must persevere to the end, always bearing in mind that our Lord is coming quickly; and his reward is with him, to give every man according as his work shall be. And if we are found keeping all the Commandments of God, and having the Testimony of Jesus Christ, we shall have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the City. Rev. xxii, 14. Your unworthy brother,
A. C. BORDEAUX.
West Enosburgh, Vt.