C O M M U N I C A T I O N S.
By H. S. Gurney
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." BRO. SMITH:—I am still striving to do the will of God. I have for a long time been led to believe that the Laodicean state is upon us whether we were willing to believe it or not. Reviewing the many attempts to rise in power and strength before God, gives striking evidence that we have not understood our state. Some seven years ago while examining the consecutive order of the seven states of the church, [Rev. ii, and iii,] I came to the conclusion that the same consecutive order must be observed to the end, but finding no one to sympathize with such a view, I let the subject rest for time to develop. More recently I have been mourning over my own lukewarmness and that of my brethren; and the inquiry has come up in my mind, How shall I extricate myself from such a state? Well, thank the Lord, there is a way to do it. The Lord says, Be zealous and repent. How good the Lord is in every time of danger to raise a warning voice, that we may flee from the wrath to come. If we prove true witnesses for our Lord in these last days we shall discern this time; and by zealously taking heed, we shall escape the things that are coming on the earth, and stand before the Son of man. This is the time of trial. Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be entire, wanting nothing. Here is the patience of the saints: here are those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. May God help us to examine ourselves and see that we are witnessing truly and zealously for the truth of God: having our life hid with Christ in God, that when he who is our life shall appear, we may appear with him in glory. Jackson, Mich., Dec. 1st, 1856.