Watch and Pray to Overcome
By S. B. Warren
Bro. Smith : I would speak a few words through the Review in hopes to encourage others, as they have thereby encouraged me. The great work of overcoming and getting the victory, in which I have engaged, is no small work. I find it is a work in which I must be constantly engaged with all the powers of my mind. Our Saviour has recorded for our profit and instruction, "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." Whenever we cease to watch and pray, we may be sure that is the very moment which Satan will improve to lead us astray. I am more than ever convinced of the severe trials that await God's honest children but a little way in the future in their onward march to mount Zion. There is a great work to be done for us to fit us for the time of trouble just before us. It is certainly a fact which cannot be denied, that "men are waxing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." They are filling up their cup of iniquity. Satan has gone forth "with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved." But those who love the truth, and whose delight is in the law of the Lord; those who are willing to sacrifice ease, honor, pleasure, property, and all for the cause of God, will not be drawn away by the deceitful workings of Satan. The Lord's faithful ones can claim the promise in Ps. xxxiv, "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." God's Spirit will not always strive with men. The last sealing truth is now being proclaimed. Many have decided already, and their decision is recorded. Others will soon decide, and their decision will be a final one. Men are now deciding either for life or death. The present age is one of the most solemn the world ever knew. I have been trying to count the cost of a journey to the celestial city, and I would say to my brethren and sisters who are with me bound to mount Zion, it is going to take all to buy the field. It will require every effort in our power, and the greatest self-sacrificing spirit on our part in order to gain an entrance through the pearly gates into the city. Our life must correspond with what we profess. I feel indeed like covenanting anew with the Lord to engage more heartily than ever in the great work before me of a preparation for the coming events of the future. I am sure if I had no strength but that of my own, I never could go through; but the Lord has said, "My grace is sufficient for thee." I believe the Lord has done a great work for me during the last year of my life; but more especially the last six months; and yet I find I have much more to do to be fitted for the coming of the Saviour. While my brothers and sisters in the flesh have, the most of them, gone over to Spiritualism, I am through the goodness of God left to hope in his mercy. O, the goodness of the Lord in preserving me and bringing31me to a knowledge of his truth. May I ever praise him and dedicate my all to him. My ardent prayer to God is that my heart may be melted into tenderness, and that I may finally overcome, get the victory, and stand with all the redeemed on mount Zion. Yours in hope. S. B. Warren. Battle Creek, Mich., 1857.