Christian Charity and the Way to the Kingdom
By E. Rose
Bro. Smith : The Review is a welcome visitor to me, while it comes richly laden with the truths of God's word, which alone are able to make us wise unto salvation. My prayer is that God will sustain his servants in their arduous labors. It is a great thing to be a Christian. It is not every one that says, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom, but he that doeth the will of my Father that is in heaven. Dear brethren and sisters, let us prove our own selves and see whether we be in the faith. Do we love our neighbor as ourselves? Do we, as we have opportunity, do good unto all men, especially those of the household of faith? Jesus says, Ye call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say. Has the blessing of the poor, and him that was ready to perish, come upon us? Have we made the widow's heart to sing for joy? Have we dealt our bread to the hungry? Have we brought the poor that was cast out to our house? Have we covered the naked with a garment? Will it be said to us, I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat; thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; naked, and ye clothed me not; I was sick, and ye visited me not? If so, how shall we bear that awful sentence, Depart! forasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it not to me. Truly, the way to the kingdom is a straight and a175narrow way, and few there be that find it. Let us so strive that we may obtain. Let us keep the testimony of Jesus, which withal says, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another. Let us not love in word only, but in deed and in truth. Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. I believe with all my heart that Jesus is coming soon, and I want to be prepared to meet him in peace. Search me, O God, and know my heart : try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting, is my prayer. E. ROSE.
Portland, Me., March, 1857.