LETTERS by Maria E. Lockwood

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1858

LETTERS.

By Maria E. Lockwood

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."

From Sister Lockwood.

BRO. SMITH: The Review is a welcome messenger as it comes laden with Bible truths, and cheering communications from those of like precious faith; and I thank God that there is a medium through which those of like faith can converse, though scattered in every direction, hundreds of miles apart; the same messenger visits them all. We are living in an awful time; awful indeed to those who have not a well grounded hope, and who have not built on the rock, and do we realize it? Does our daily walk and conversation show to those around us that we believe what we profess, that the end of all things is at

hand? Does our every word and action tell that we have no continuing city here, that we are pilgrims and strangers in the enemy's land, that we are not laying up treasures here, but in heaven? If they do not, then be sure the blood of others will be found upon our garments, and we ourselves left uncovered in the day of God's fierce anger.

When I realize the straitness of the way, I fear and tremble lest I shall fall; and when I examine myself I can but cry, unholy and unclean. I want to be a child of God. I want to set a good example before those around me, and shed a hallowed influence; and my prayer is that God will give me grace to perform all my duties, and that every thing may be removed from my heart that will bar the Saviour out. I want the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment, and the eye-salve. I want to be wholly consecrated to the will of God, and to exercise continually a spirit of meekness; and I am determined by the help of God to be an overcomer. I know by a blessed experience, that there is a divine reality in the religion of Jesus, and there is a glorious reward in the future for the finally faithful. A little while longer and we shall see our heavenly King, shall be removed from this sinful world, shall join with the redeemed, shall enter through the gates of the New Jerusalem, drink of the water of the river of life, and pluck the fruit of the fair tree of life. Yes, we shall be in the image of our blessed Redeemer, and behold the face of the Father. There sickness, pain and death shall never enter, there we shall no longer hear the scoffs and sneers of the proud professors, and be cast out of their company as poor deluded beings. O I long for the time to come. I am tired of living here away from my God. I desire an interest in the prayers of the saints of God that I may so improve the precious moments lent to me here, that I may have an abundant entrance into the joy of our Lord.

MARIA E. LOCKWOOD. Jan. 3d, 1858.