The Review and Christian Self-Denial
By F. O. Hodge
BRO. WHITE: I am a stranger to you personally, but not to the work in which you are engaged, being comforted and cheered by the same blessed hope through Jesus Christ, even eternal life. I am anxious to hear often from the remnant scattered abroad, and know of no other means so good as the Review; but then comes the thought, you are not able to pay for it. True, but then it is free to the poor. But are there no superfluities in dress, meats, or drinks, which might be dispensed with, and the trifling sum of one dollar be saved? No! Rum, tea, tobacco, jewelry, or ornaments of any kind, are all incompatible with the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am far away from the most of the faithful, and have no communication with any of them without walking from five to fifteen miles, as I have no team, and am unable to hire. I sometimes go out to meet them, but that is possible but seldom. So I stay at home on the Sabbath, read the Book, and long for communion with the dear saints. O how my heart goes out to them! I look about me and see sin and iniquity abounding, the professed followers of the meek and lowly Jesus engaged in scenes of dissipation, seeking the honors of this present evil world, and joining hands with the children of this world, disobeying the commandments of God, trampling on his holy law, profaning his Sabbath, rendering evil for evil, the children of pride and ostentatious display, heavily burdened with jewels of gold, without bowels of mercy, oppressing the poor, exacting money, and taking increase, smiting their fellow-servants and saying, “My Lord delayeth his coming,” and my heart is pained within me. O for light! Gospel light, in this age and day of darkness, that shall open the eyes of the blind that they may see. O for more living, saving faith in the church of the living God. O for more bright and shining lights in the persons of the followers of Jesus, more meekness, more repentance, more zeal, more inward holiness, more pure gold. For one, I come too far short, but am striving through the grace of God to overcome. I pray for victory, I fight for victory, and through the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony, hope for the final victory. Your brother. F. O. HODGE. Abbott’s Corners, C. E., March 15th, 1857.