Keep the Commandments and Have Faith
By John M. Mills
BRO. SMITH: I have felt for some time that I should write to the brethren and sisters and let them know that I still am trying by the grace of God to keep all his commandments and have the faith of Jesus. I feel to praise the Lord when reading the communications from the brethren and sisters, and to say, go on; praise the Lord! hold out a little longer, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry. Dear brethren and sisters, live humble at the feet of Jesus, pray without ceasing, and in all things give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good and his mercy endureth forever. I praise the Lord while I write, for his goodness to his people in these last days of darkness and deception. Let us heed the message to the Laodiceans, and buy the gold tried in the fire that we may be rich, and white raiment that we may be clothed, and anoint our eyes with eye-salve that we may see and understand more fully the will of the Lord concerning us. Let us give up our whole hearts to the Lord and lay all on the altar of God and trust in him to consume it according to his own good pleasure. Dear brethren, may the Lord bless you and give you understanding in all things, and may we love one another with pure hearts fervently. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly kindness, in honor preferring one another. Be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer. Bless them which persecute you, bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who do rejoice and weep with those who weep. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Rom. xii. And I pray the Lord to help us live out the faith we profess and show to the world that we believe what we say. And let us do unto others as we would that they should do to us. Your unworthy brother waiting for the kingdom.
JOHN M. MILLS.
Pleasant Spring, Wis., July 14th, 1857.