Reflecting the Image of Jesus
By H. S. Boyd
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I wish to say to you that I have been brought through many strait places, but God's mercy has been great to unworthy me. I feel that I have not been as thankful as I ought for all the blessings he has bestowed upon me; and I regret that my whole being has not been more fully and faithfully devoted to his service. Wherein I have in any way failed of manifesting the meek and forbearing spirit of Jesus, or in discharging my whole duty to any, or in any way cast an unholy influence, I hope that God and my brethren may forgive, and unite their prayers with mine that God will give me wisdom to direct me at all times, and grace to sustain me under all circumstances; that I may be led into all truth, sanctified through it, and saved from all unrighteousness. I firmly believe that the work of grace must be deep enough in the hearts of God's people for them to reflect the image of Jesus in their daily deportment, or they will be unable to stand in his holy presence. We must be kindly affectioned one to another, in honor preferring one another. The long suffering and forbearance of God to us should lead us to great patience and forbearance toward our fellow men, especially those whom Christ has commanded us to love as he has loved us. Brother, sister, does your heart respond to this command? Have you fully obeyed it? Can you truly say, I know I have passed from death unto life because I love the brethren? If you love the Saviour as you ought, you are truly a happy recipient of God's grace; for Christ has said, If a man love me he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him. O what glorious and sure evidence this would be that our names were written in the Lamb's book of life? If we lack this is it not just as sure they will be blotted out unless we speedily repent. O Lord, save thy people, is my prayer. What a company we should be if we were united and perfected in God's love! The scoffing world would behold us with awe, angels would rejoice over us, and God would be well pleased and work for us as in days of old, and as in former years. It is now a time that tries men's souls. Satan with all his deceptive snares is trying to lure men on to perdition; not only with the allurements of all the vanities and lusts that please the carnal heart, but he is trying to prevent our serving God, by exciting our fears. True, our names which are cast out as evil, may be still more disgraced, our few earthly friends may turn against us, our property and life may be taken from us; but my brethren, let us show to all that it is a name on high that is above every earthly name that we prize, and honor from above that we seek. It is immortal friends we desire. It is in heaven we are striving to lay up our treasure. Our homes and hearts are there. We can joyfully take the spoiling of our goods. We are pilgrims and strangers on our way home, and hope not to love our lives unto death; for it is eternal life that we seek. For it we are willing to suffer; for it we mean to strive. And should persecution arise which would exceed the cruelty of by gone ages, still let our trust be in God. Man can take our lives, then there is no more that he can do. The righteous will stand firm in the trying hour; for God has said he will never suffer them to be moved. Now dear brethren, in view of the solemn time and trials that await us, our own weakness and proneness to err, I entreat you to be workers together in Christ Jesus, trying to encourage and help one another on in the heavenly way. Let the long suffering and tender mercies of our God towards us, stimulate us to be like minded one toward another, that when Christ who is our life shall appear, we may also appear with him in glory. Yours hoping to be of that happy number.
H. S. BOYD.
Lyme, N. H., Dec. 31st, 1857.