Striving Against the Enemy
By E. Degarmo
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I am still striving in weakness to maintain the conflict with the arch-deceiver and his army of wicked spirits and evil influences that surround me while traveling through this dark and lonely waste. I am weak, but I can go to God in humble confidence, and lean upon his all-powerful arm. Our God is strong, and he will deliver those that trust in him. Let me say to all the beloved ones that are striving with me for an inheritance that faileth not, and garments that wax not old, When the enemy of all righteousness presents to us the riches and vanities of this world, the applause of worldly friends, the enjoyments of sense, and to be called rabbi, and master, if we will fall down and worship him, let us meet him with these words, 'Get thee behind me Satan.' Jesus left the glory of his Father, came to this lonely earth, had not where to lay his head, and died the shameful death of the cross. Remember the scene in the garden, when he sweat as it were great drops of blood, and prayed, 'O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.' Here the enemy intended to frustrate the great plan of salvation, but angels ministered unto him, and the glorious work that he came to fulfill was finished on Calvary’s cross. And shall we think it hard that we must come out from the world and the fallen churches, that we must get the victory over our evil habits, our quick and hasty tempers, over evil-surmising and evil-speaking, over self-exaltation, idle conversation, and an unreconciliation to the allotments of providence? We must have all our words and thoughts in subjection to the will of God. Every root of bitterness, must be rooted out of our hearts. How many of us, dear brethren and sisters, have risen in the morning a great while before day, and retired to some lonely spot as Jesus did, and wrestled in our weakness for strength to overcome our evil habits? We who would have others see the light of truth must live it out ourselves. Since Oct. last my contest with the enemy has been severe; but although I am weak, yet my God is strong, and his promises are sure. I thank him for the consecration to his will, and the love to him and his glorious cause that I feel in my heart. Praise the Lord! Yours in hopes of an immortal inheritance.
E. DEGARMO.
Parish, Os Co., N. Y.