H. S. BOYD by H. S. Boyd

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 27, 1857

H. S. BOYD

By H. S. Boyd

From Bro. Boyd.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: When I read the communications from the lonely and tried ones, I feel to deeply sympathize with them, being myself a pilgrim and stranger, seeking a home where Christ has gone to prepare a place for his disciples. To all who prove faithful he will give a crown of life.

We may have severe trials here, and our way may be rough, yet it cannot be long, for soon Jesus will send his angels to gather his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. There will be no lonely ones left, all will be gathered home. There they will always behold the face of their Father and forever be at rest. There we shall behold our dear Saviour, not the persecuted, despised one, but the King of kings and Lord of lords, in all the glory which he had with the Father before the world was. No more mocked by the crowd that surrounds him, for that will be composed of saints, angels and his blood-bought throng, who will sing the new song of Moses and the Lamb. Methinks it will be a glorious sight to behold Jesus with his company, all clothed in white, with his Father's name written in their foreheads, in their hands the harps of God, and on their heads crowns of gold, singing praises to him who has redeemed them with his own blood.

Oh, the boundless depths of God's unfathomable love in the work of redemption! No wonder that in view of it Paul exclaimed, "I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Christ, when about to depart out of this world, having loved his own, he loved them to the end, (this is the way that Jesus loves,) knew full well that trials and sorrows awaited them; and he says, I will not leave you comfortless. I will come unto you. Oh, blessed words! How they have cheered many an aching heart! The hope of Jesus' coming! How oft it has filled our souls with glory when nought else could cheer. When trials have been sore upon

us, when distress has racked our whole being, when death has stared us in the face, or when we have seen friends sink in the grave, what could comfort us then? Ah, it was the hope, the blessed hope of Jesus' soon coming; and it will ever cheer the hearts of the waiting ones till he comes and takes them home to himself.

Now the solemn thought arises, Shall I be there? When I look at the straightness of the gate, and narrowness of the way, I fear; but still my hope is in God. The promises in his word are precious. In view of his willingness to save, and what he has done for unworthy me, I fear to doubt, and dare to hope with a hope that none can take from me, that I shall meet God's dear people on Mt. Zion. Some I have seen here, but many I shall never see, till I meet them there, and with them shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father, and for ever enjoy the rest that remains for the people of God.

Yours, in hope of eternal life.

H. S. BOYD

Lyme, N. H., Aug. 11th, 1857.