The True Witness and Precious Promises
By Elvira Seely
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel for one that I must heed the true Witness, and buy gold tried in the fire that I may be rich, white raiment that I may be clothed, and eye-salve that I may see. I believe that Jesus is soon coming to take his ransomed ones home, and I want to be prepared to meet him, and exclaim, Lo, this is my God, I have waited for him. I feel very much cast down at times, seeing no one of like precious faith, and being surrounded as I am by Infidelity and Universalism; it seems indeed like darkness which may be felt. Then again I look at the precious promises left on record, and exclaim, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? My Saviour has said, "My grace is sufficient for thee." I know not what I could do without the Review. It comes laden with the precious truths of the Bible, and also communications from dear brethren and sisters who were instruments in the hands of God in pointing me into the way wherein Christ makes his people free. How oft has my mind been carried back to the place where we have met to sing and pray. "They see thy power and glory there,
As I have seen it often too;
They read, they hear, they join in prayer
As I was wont to do.
They sing thy deeds, as I have sung,
In sweet and solemn lays;
Were I among them, my glad tongue
Might learn new themes of praise.
For thou art in their midst to teach,
When on thy name they call;
And thou hast blessings, Lord, for each,
Hast blessings, Lord, for all.
I, of such fellowship hereft,
In spirit turn to thee;
Oh! hast thou not a blessing left,
A blessing, Lord, for me?
I may not to their midst repair,
Yet here thou surely art;
Lord, consecrate a house of prayer,
In my surrendered heart.
To faith, reveal the things unseen;
To hope, the joys untold;
Let love, without a vail between,
Thy glory now behold.
Oh! make thy face on me to shine,
That doubt and fear may cease;
Lift up thy countenance benign
On me, and give me peace." ELVIRA SEELY.
Salisbury Center, June, 1857.