To Our Enemies by W. S. Foote

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 8, 1858

To Our Enemies.

By W. S. Foote

Do you not believe in the necessity of repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in order that ye may be saved from sin and its awful consequences? We do; and do you hate us for this? Do you believe that without holiness no man can see the Lord? We do; and do you hate us for this? Do you believe it to be right to obey the Lord in all things, and to keep all his commandments? We do; is this one cause of your hatred? If with the assisting grace of God, we try to love him with all our hearts, and love our neighbor as ourselves, knowing that Jesus tells us the truth when he says, (with regard to these principles,) "on these two hang all the law and the prophets," do we act right? and do you hate us for it? The apostle James has told us, that with regard to the law, "if we offend in one point we are guilty of all." Because we dislike to offend our God in this matter, do you hate us? We are confident "that yet a little while, and he that shall come, will come and will not tarry," and we wish to get ready to meet our God in peace; we believe, too, that when he does come, we should be able to say with joy, "Lo this is our God, we have waited for him." Do you hate us on this account? Do you hate us because we believe we are wholly dependant upon him who has said, "I am the resurrection and the life," for immortality beyond the grave? We have been in the world long enough to be heartily sick of its sins and follies, and now we desire a better country, that is, an heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called our God, for he has prepared for us a city. We believe that before we enter the heavenly city, we must as a church, possess more of the pure and undefiled religion of the gospel than is found in the popular churches. Don't hate us for this! If for these things you hate us, and feel disposed to point at us the finger of scorn, and delight in your position, which is the seat of the scoffer, then scoff on, shut up your churches against those who have the last message of mercy to a dying world—reject and despise God's holy law, trample upon his Sabbaths, in a word, gird on your armor, get ready all your weapons of war, and with the dragon for your leader, with all your might, fight against those who keep the Commandments of God and the Testimony of Jesus, but remember, that if we love the Lord, no weapon formed against us shall prosper. The battle is not against us, but with the Lord of hosts. Can you measure arms with him? On whose side think you, will turn the victory?

W. S. Foote. Pendleton, Ohio.