Preparing to Meet the Lord
Bro. Smith: I realize that there remains a work for us all to do, in order to meet the Lord in peace. He will soon be here, and O, that we who profess to be commandment-keepers may be ready and waiting. Self-righteousness will be of no use to us in the judgment. We are living in perilous times, but if we have the daily evidence (which it is our duty as well as privilege to have) that God approbates our lives, we have nothing to fear. Let us all bear in mind that without holiness we cannot see the Lord. The time has fully come for us all to arise and move forward. There is no resting place for us this side of Mt. Zion. When I read the letters in the Review from the saints scattered throughout the land, and know that they are trying to arise from a lukewarm state into one of holiness, it warms up my soul, and a thrill of joy runs through my heart which words cannot express. I am thankful to God that he has had such a care for me, that I ever was made to see the light that shines for his people in these closing hours of time. By his grace I mean to go through to the kingdom. Brethren and sisters, it is but a little longer that we shall have to suffer afflictions here. Then let the thorn and the thistle grow around us; soon they will annoy us no more forever. Let us as a Christian people raise the standard high, lest we should seem to come short of the promise left us concerning the rest that remains for the saints. How thankful we all ought to be that such light shines from the word of God that all who will may walk and rejoice in it. I am satisfied that we have the truth, and it will not do to sell it. In hope of eternal life.
H. W. DODGE. Stoddard, N. H., Nov. 4th, 1858.