A Call to Zeal and Repentance
By William H. Graham
Bro. Smith: It is now nearly six years since I embraced the Sabbath of the Lord our God together with kindred truths, which are able to make us wise unto salvation. I had no part in the First Angel’s Message, as I had no opportunity of hearing it. I have often regretted that I was not in that movement. I believe without a doubt that it was of God, that it was a fulfillment of his word, and that it was given in the right time. I am glad I ever had the privilege of listening to the great and sublime truths contained in, and connected with the third and last message of mercy to poor fallen man, which is now being given to the world. I am glad too, that when I had settled down into a careless indifferent state, thinking that because I had a theory of the truth I was "rich and increased with goods and had need of nothing," that the warning message to the poor lukewarm Laodiceans found way to my heart, and I was enabled, in a measure at least, to be zealous and repent. I do desire now to make thorough work for the kingdom; for it seems to me it is death to settle back into a lukewarm state, after being aroused by this message. O how awfully solemn is this hour in which we live. In view of the impending storm of the wrath of God so soon to burst upon the shelterless heads of our friends and neighbors, in view of the truths which God has committed to us, and by which he is about to judge the world, in view of the unmistakable signs fast thickening around us, that the Lord is soon to descend from heaven to render to every man according as his works shall be, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness. How should we warn, weep over, and pray for our friends? What holy, spotless lives should we lead before them? so that if possible they may be saved, but if not that we may be able to say with the Apostle in the great day of reckoning that our skirts are clear from the blood of all men. Dear brethren and sisters, I feel solemn while I write in view of these things, and it is my prayer that we may be enabled to search our hearts in the light of truth, and see to it that we are giving all diligence to make our calling and election sure. May God enable us to "seek righteousness, to seek meekness," for there is only a "may be we shall be hid in the day of his fierce anger." I am glad to hear through the Review, of the prosperity of the cause in the West. I hope the time will soon come when the message will go with a loud voice, and call out all God’s honest ones who are now starving for the bread of life. I believe the Lord’s hand is in this work, and he will finish it, and cut it short in righteousness. The hundred and forty-four thousand will speedily be made up, and the saints of the Most High will take the kingdom under the whole heavens, in which they will shine as the stars and as the brightness of the firmament for ever and ever. When I view the glories of the eternal inheritance so soon to be given to the saints, I feel to say I must be there. Soon, very soon those who are faithful will be there. Their conflicts will be ended, the battle fought, the victory gained, the crown received, and they will sit down in their long expected, eternal home, with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to go out no more for ever. With such a hope as ours, in view of the prospect that now lies before us, have we any real cause of discouragement? True we, at least I, have many besetting sins, which must be overcome, and we find ourselves amid the perils of the last days; yet by the grace of God we can overcome. By doing all on our part we can gain a perfect victory over everything that is unlike Jesus, and stand at last among the happy company who will be presented without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. That this may be our happy lot is the prayer of your unworthy brother. Wm. H. Graham. New Ipswich, N. H., Aug. 28th, 1857.