The Laodicean Message and Repentance
By Nancy Claflin
Bro. Smith: I think I can make the required response, I can speak but for one, that "as for me" I will serve the Lord; for I believe that the Lord he is God, and I will follow him, his grace assisting me. How gladly did I receive the light, showing our where-abouts in the stream of time. How often have I wondered, when I looked upon the church and have seen our love growing cold, and severe trials coming in on every hand, and said, what is the matter? I thank God, that he is yet mindful of us, and is showing us what the matter is. Truly it is sad to tell, we are in a deplorable state: about to be spued out of the mouth of God, because we are lukewarm. Are we not admonished, by this message of the Angel of the church of the Laodiceans. Will we not all take heed to his counsel, that there may none be left behind, or spued out of his mouth. O, I greatly fear, some will reject the light, as others have done in former days, and be left in darkness, and left to believe strange doctrines and to have their portion in the last plagues, and second death. The people of God have always had something to molest them, and while we look back in the past, we see that second Advent believers have been tested and tried in many ways. The first great test was the disappointment in 1844. We all understand how sorely they were tried then. And the Third Angel followed, with his Message, and light began soon to shine upon the commandments, and the messengers began to proclaim through the land, saying, The Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. O, then another trying time had come, more cutting than ever before seemingly, not only to leave brethren and sisters, but the whole world; for they nearly all keep the first day, and how can I come out here alone? we would say, and keep the seventh day. But hard as it was, thank the Lord, a goodly number got strength to step out upon it. Who among us now will reject the light which shows the condition of the church and draw back? I hope none will be left to draw back to perdition, but that we all shall believe to the saving of the soul. Norfolk, N. Y. Dec. 18, 1856.