Longing for the Saviour’s Return
By Mary Armstrong
Bro. Smith: Your little sheet is a welcome visitor to me. I love the rich principles it advocates, although I have been a reader of its pages but a short time. I still love the truth, and am trying to keep all the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. O what a kind and merciful Father we have; one in whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning; one who cares for his children, and is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life. And the Son himself said: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go away, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also." Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and he will come again and receive us unto himself that where he is there we may be also. O how I long to be where my Saviour is, and be free from this world of sin and death. Do we love Jesus? Then let us so live that all men may know that we are his disciples; let us all wake up, and gird on the armor, have our lamps trimmed and burning, and be as men waiting for their Lord when he shall return from the wedding. We have line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, and there will be much required of us. We have been passing through severe trials here of late. The truth is manifesting those who are determined to buy "gold tried in the fire," though it may take all they have in this world; while others appear as though they were rich and increased with goods, and had need of nothing. Saith the Apostle "Faith without works is dead, being alone." "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" May the Lord help each and every one of us to be in earnest, to be zealous and repent. May we feel the responsibility that rests upon each one of us, and realize that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Our thoughts and meditations should be holy, our whole bodies should be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. The ardent desire of my heart is, that the saints of God may, as one, arise and put on strength. Now is the time to be very humble, to get rid of pride, and everything that is offensive in the sight of God. Waverly, Mich., Oct. 8th, 1857.