p. 47 | MARY HODGES by Mary Hodges

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 30, 1858

MARY HODGES

By Mary Hodges

From Sister Hodges.

Bro. Smith: I would inform the saints scattered abroad that there are a few of us here who are endeavoring to let our light shine before the world; but the torrent of opposition which we have to encounter is very great, and we sometimes feel that we are forsaken by the messengers, and all who might give us an encouraging word. Yet we rejoice that the saints are not all left in our circumstances; and when we read in the Review of God's dealings with his people in different places, and of the success of the gospel, our hearts leap with joy.

I find the gate leading to eternal life to be indeed strait, and narrow; but brethren and sisters, let us lift our eyes above the cares and perplexities of life, and fix them upon the prize that awaits us if we prove faithful unto the end. Our pilgrimage here will soon end, and the joys that await us will much more than overbalance all our trials and afflictions. I would like to ask those who are competent to answer the question, if it is not the duty of the disciples of Christ to celebrate his death and sufferings more frequently than many of them do?

Our Lord, indeed, gave no directions as to how often we should do it; but he says, "As oft as ye do it, ye do show forth the Lord's death till he come." And again, "Except ye eat of my body, and drink of my blood, ye cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." Is it not the duty of those whose prerogative it is to administer the sacrament, to see to it that the little flocks scattered here and there, have opportunity to celebrate this essential ordinance?

In hope of the rest that remains for the people of God,

MARY HODGES

Portland, Mich., Dec. 1858.