A Call to Earnest Christian Endurance
By Lois J. Richmond
BRO. SMITH: I feel to praise the Lord for the light that is now shining upon our pathway, and for the evidence we have of the near approach of day. O how solemn and deeply interesting are the moments! With what earnestness and energy should we now plead for eternal life! The decisive moment is at hand. Brethren and sisters, on which side shall we be found? I can say as for me, I will serve the Lord. I expect trials, but from these I would not shrink. I do not ask for an easier way to the kingdom than others have had. No, no, let me share with others their sufferings here and their joys hereafter. I want to be a child of God in every sense of the word. I must be. I expect a struggle if I ever overcome, but I would ever bear in mind Him who in the days of his flesh, offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared. Heb. v, 7. View him in the garden of Gethsemane, and there learn a lesson of endurance and holy submission to the will of God. O hear the words that fell from his lips, and ever bear them in mind: "Father if thou be willing remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done." "An angel descends with strengthening balm from glory to soothe the Son of God." And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. If this is not enough to stir the depths of the soul, follow him up into the mountain, and view him there exposed to the midnight air as he continues all night in prayer to God, and then remember that he was without sin. It was for us he prayed. If Jesus manifested so much earnestness for us, shall we not be in earnest for ourselves? We must be. A few, faint, formal petitions will not do the work for us. No, no, we must be in earnest. We have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin. Sr. Hastings' letter in No. 1 of the Review, did encourage my heart to take hold with new energy and zeal upon the promises of God. I know there is strength to be derived from earnest, fervent prayer. My experience for a few weeks past can testify to the fact. At times I have felt such unutterable longings after God as words would fail to express. I can see a beauty, a loveliness in the character of Jesus, and I long to be his without reserve. I must be his, come life or death. But I am sensible that there is yet a great work to be wrought for me, before I can be made a partaker of his holiness. I would not be deceived in regard to my hope. I desire to know the worst of my case now, that I may zealously repent of every wrong while sweet mercy lingers. LOIS J. RICHMOND.
Ashfield, Mass., July 1858.