A Call to Repentance by H. N. Bates

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 29, 1857

A Call to Repentance

By H. N. Bates

From Bro. Bates.

Bro. Smith: The cause of present truth is still precious to me. I rejoice that the message to the Laodiceans ever reached me. How lukewarm it found us! The cares of this world seemed to take the uppermost seat in our hearts. But the time has come for us to awake, be zealous and repent, to buy gold tried in the fire that we may be rich, and white raiment that they may be clothed, and eye-salve that they may see.

Our salvation depends on our future course. If we want eternal life, if we prize it above every thing else, we must be zealous and repent; speedily show our faith by our works. "Faith without works is dead." James ii, 26. If not he will spue us out of his mouth. We must leave all for the kingdom, if we ever sit with Christ on his throne.

O brethren, let not the cares of this life drown us in perdition, but let us awake—the cause demands that we should awake. The remnant must and will arouse from their present condition. There is too much of the world in the hearts of the professed people of God. But God is calling upon us to repent, get the world out our hearts, and let the Saviour in. O let us heed the admonition of Christ: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth . . . but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." He adds, "For where your treasure is there will your heart be also." Matt. vi, 19, 20, 21.

Let us strive to overcome. The Lord requires the whole heart. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Says Christ, "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and will open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me." We must have every thing else taken away before Jesus will come in. Let us strive for the Faith of Jesus, keep all the Commandments of God, let Jesus into our hearts, and finally overcome, and sit with Christ on his throne.

Yours striving to overcome. H. N. Bates. Elkader, Iowa, Jan. 4th, 1857.