The Third Angel’s Message and the Comet
By Sarah Jane Gardner
Bro. Smith:—It is my delight to read the cheering epistles from those of like precious faith, and the truths that are being, (and have been,) brought out from God's word by his chosen friends; for Jesus saith, Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. We feel that we have been lacking this love that we should have had, but, praise the Lord, we want to heed the counsel of the true Witness, and buy gold tried in the fire, also the white raiment that we may be clothed, and eye-salve that we may see, that all our ways may be pleasing to the Lord. How exactly we can see the scriptures fulfilling before our eyes. Evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Men's hearts are failing them for fear of those things that are coming upon the earth. Professors and non-professors are troubled about the comet that it is said will visit the earth this year. Blessed be the Lord, their rock is not as our rock, our enemies themselves being judges. When they speak to us about it we refer them to the great detector, and show to them therefrom that the Third Angels Message must go with a loud cry to the inhabitants of the earth, and gather the honest, and then one year is allotted for the plagues to be poured out upon those who reject this last Message of mercy that shall ever be given to mortal man. When I think of the scenes that await the world, and the long-suffering of my kind heavenly Father to me, I feel like trying to put forth every effort in the precious cause of our Redeemer, and press my way on to mount Zion. I hope to live in that way that I can meet all my brethren and sisters of like precious faith, who are trying to overcome and be ready for the coming of Jesus. I would say, O brethren and sisters, be faithful a little longer, and soon our suffering will be over. Soon the last tear will be shed, the last groan will be heard. O what a glorious thought! that these poor mortal frames will soon be made immortal, and all tears be wiped from our faces. We received much strength from the visit from Bro. Holt who spoke to us from the Word, and some things that will never be erased while memory lasts. May the Lord bless him and his labors, that he may come rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Sarah Jane Gardner.
Vergennes, Mich., April 23d, 1857.