J. W. RAYMOND by J. W. Raymond

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 30, 1857

J. W. RAYMOND

By J. W. Raymond

From Bro. Raymond.

BRO. SMITH: I still feel like a pilgrim and stranger on earth, seeking for the preparation prerequisite to an admittance into the glorious and never fading kingdom of God; for which many have fought, struggled, bled and died. And here I have reason to praise and adore the name of God, that our struggling with the powers of darkness, is of short duration; for soon the last and most important work of Jesus in the heavenly Sanctuary, viz., its cleansing, will be brought to a terminus; and then will ensue a time of trouble such as never was, at which time Michael will stand up, and every one will be delivered that is found written in the book: then, and not till then, will our conflicts cease, and we be transported from this dark, lurid, wicked and sin-cursed earth and to that city for which Abraham looked. Praise God for the glorious and soul-cheering hope which we have, the fruition of which we shall soon, very soon enjoy. I have thought that if a glorious hope, based upon God's word, has a tendency to make a people happy, then we may be a happy people. We are not looking down into the cold grave; (although a few may fall therein,) but we are looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of the Lord, in the which God will roar from on high, and utter his voice from Jerusalem: then consternation will seize the wicked, while those who have renounced all the sins of this world, led a self-denying and cross-bearing life, and stood firm and inflexible for God's cause and truth, will be made happy recipients of that precious boon of God, immortality. Then onward, onward let us press, for if faithful we shall pass the confines of sin and suffering, and bloom forever in the vigor of immortal youth.

I as firmly believe that Jesus is near even at the doors, as I did two months ago that Summer was near when I saw the trees putting forth their foliage. And when I realize the shortness of time, and feel the force of the truth, (for there is a vast difference between believing in the truth, and feeling the deep moving and soul-stirring power of it,) I feel in the language of Paul, to present my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is my reasonable service, and not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of my mind.

May God bless you and all his children, and finally bring us one and all with the many that Jesus said should come from the East and West, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

Yours seeking for holiness of heart, without which no man shall see God.

J. W. RAYMOND

Wheeler, Stuben Co N. Y., July 13th, 1857.