Overcoming Trials and Surface Religion
By Cornelia Lawton
Bro. Smith: It is some time since I have spoken through the Review. Perhaps if my love and zeal had been as formerly, I should have done so before this. For nearly a year there has been a change in my experience. I can date the change, yet I cannot tell the cause. It may have been yielding to temptation, and trials not patiently borne, hence not sanctified. During the past Winter I have been borne down, and buffeted by temptations and trials unblessed. Since the conference in this place I have been overcoming, and rising in enjoyment, and more especially since I attended the Tent-meeting in Parishville. While there I did not realize so much benefit, as I was much fatigued. After returning home while in prayer, I felt the Spirit apply to my heart sister White's cutting reproof to the church. I saw clearly, the work as Bro. White had called it, a surface work. I felt that we were not half in the message, that we did not from the heart fully believe the coming of our dear Saviour was so near; if we did our works would correspond with our faith. I saw there was not that deadness to the world there should be; our hearts and hands are too full of care. Too much time I fear is spent in labor for things of this life, while the cause of God lies neglected. By a close examination we may find that more of our time should be employed in the vineyard of the Lord. God's Messengers are leaving us for more hopeful fields. Our only resource is to labor ourselves and pray earnestly, the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest. I take home all I have said; but suffer the spirit of exhortation which I feel resting upon me. I believe God is raising up or preparing for himself a peculiar people that shall stand with him on Mount Zion, and that the 144,000 are now being sealed, and that this work will soon be finished, and then they will stand without blemish, all ready to meet the dear Saviour when he makes his appearance on the white cloud. This work of preparation must take place before he leaves the mercy seat. Do the saints realize the time in which we live? Our cases are soon to be decided. I feel the crisis to be near; we must quickly decide to be wholly for God, and get the gold, white raiment and eye-salve, or be spued out of his mouth. Satan knows this full well. It is a trying time. Satan is at war with the remnant, and it seems to me that he never put forth more powerful efforts to lull the church to sleep than at present. He knows there must be a rising and getting ready soon, or it will be too late; hence he strives hard to hinder God's people. This is what I wish to feel in my own heart, and impress upon the hearts of others. Shall we not bestir ourselves and put forth efforts correspondent with the efforts Satan is putting forth? Dear brethren and sisters, let us arise once for all in the name of our Master. If we have not made a full surrender let us now do so. If there has been any reserve heretofore, any idol hugged to our heart, be it ever so small, let it go. It will take all to buy the field. God will not accept a lame sacrifice. All must go for God and his cause, if we would be ready to enter in through the gates into the city. Think what is in reserve for the dear saints, and how short the time is before we shall receive our reward if we overcome. Heaven is worth suffering for. Who would not give all for heaven? Then let all go; our property, love of self, and all our idols, that we may gain eternal life. Your sister striving to overcome.
CORNELIA LAWTON.
Winfield, N. Y., July 26th, 1857.