Heeding the Laodicean Counsel
By Emily J. Paine
BRO. SMITH: I esteem it a privilege to contribute my mite to support a paper that has been instrumental in spreading so much light, and truth, and has cheered and comforted my heart so many times. The Lord has been very good to us. Notwithstanding we have had trials keen and cutting, yet our trust has been in God, and we have found him an ever present help in times of need. Praised be his holy name! He knows what is for our good far better than we do ourselves. How plain it is to be seen that we have been in a lukewarm condition; and O, how thankful I am that we can heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, buy gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich; and white raiment, that we may be clothed, that the shame of our nakedness do not appear; and anoint our eyes with eye-salve, that we may see. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. May God help us to hear his rebukes and chastenings as we ought, and to be zealous and repent, and open the door of our hearts, and let the lovely Saviour in. I am striving to overcome, for I want to sit down with Christ in his throne. How thankful we would be, here in Barre, to have some of the dear brethren come and speak to us the words of life. We hope some one will see it duty to come soon. I feel like making haste to get ready, having on all the armor, that I may be prepared to stand in the evil day. I believe it is close upon us, much closer than many of us are aware of. May the Lord help us to watch, that that day do not overtake us as a thief, is the prayer of your unworthy sister in hope of redemption at the appearing of Jesus. Barre, N. Y., April, 1857.