Bro. Smith: My interest is still with the little flock. The truth shines with increasing brightness, and I trust I am making honest endeavors to follow its teachings.
The message to the Laodiceans found me on low ground. I saw its force, and felt in a measure its keen rebuke. It applied well to my case. I made some efforts to arouse myself from this deathly stupor, and get above the darkness that surrounded me. At times the Spirit of the Lord was with me, and again it appeared as though the good Being had left me to myself. The fault was all my own. I did not receive, because I asked amiss, and too often I did not ask at all. Satan hedged up my way with difficulties: small in their nature, but hard to overcome because of their number, and being presented when least expected. When I would do good, evil was present with me.
The Review aided me in the study of the Word, yet I longed to see some of God's messengers, who were bearing the ark from place to place, and showing sinners in Zion their transgressions. Isa. xxxiii, 14. Through the goodness of God I met with his people in Delhi, and well did those faithful brethren Holt and Cornell bear testimony against the lukewarm condition of God's professed children thus assembled. I felt to take new courage; and I saw that it only required a much stronger faith in God's promises to enable us to arise; that now was the time to buy gold tried in the fire, and white raiment that we may be clothed, and be ready when Jerusalem, the holy city, shall put on her beautiful garments. Isa. lii, 1; xlix, 18.
Never before could I see the force of the words, [Isa. lii, 7,] How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings. The subject of this chapter as a prophecy, I think has its special application to this very time, when darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people, [Isa. lx, 2,] when his watchmen are blind—ignorant—sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Isa. lvi, 10.
No sooner is the question asked, Watchman, what of the night? than the watchmen are striving for the tried gold, anointing their eyes, and getting on the white raiment, which done, they glide along the mountain-tops to arouse a slumbering people. How beautiful upon the mountains, &c.
None but those who, rarely if ever, have an opportunity of meeting with messengers, can appreciate the force of these words. How many calls we see in the Review for preachers "come this way." I can sympathize with such. Be faithful a little longer, my brethren; for we have the promise that though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers. Isa. xxx, 30.
The way of the wicked (false teachers) is as darkness, they know not at what they stumble. Prov. iv, 18, 19. They are without the light of God's word, depending upon their own and others' wisdom, they think they are rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing. They are blind, and know not at what they stumble. They deceive themselves, and others; but God's children who walk in the light of his word cannot be affected with their influence. John viii, 31, 32.
Shall we take heed to this word of light shining in this dark place until the day dawn? 2 Pet. i, 19. This question, from its nature, is soon to be decided. The time is short, yet the means of safety are still within our reach; but I confess my fears that some will not use them, that they will choose the ways of their own finding out. My desire is to walk with the humble, despised remnant—"the croakers for the old paths, the ways of olden time, come-outers, advocates of the rerum primordia."
I believe the Lord is about to bless his waiting people with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The testimony of Mark xvi, 15-18, is just as positive that the signs there spoken of, will follow them that believe, as that he that believeth shall be saved. But O how much there is for the remnant to do before these signs can follow. The world with all its honors, fashions, and allurements, must be given up. We are to take no thought what we shall eat, drink, or put on.
My desire is to give up all for God, and I pray that his opening providence will enable me to dispose of my small means in such a way as to benefit the cause, and be to the glory of his name. Jesus says, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall in this time receive all these things a hundred fold, with persecution, and in the world to come, eternal life.