Girding on the Gospel Armor
Sister M. L. Priest writes from Lancaster, Mass., May 27th, 1858: "I am glad that there is a rest that remains to the scattered flock. Yes, I am glad that though we are pilgrims and strangers here, 'We are homeward bound;' and though trials and temptations are our portion here, yet there are joys awaiting the faithful ones. I desire to be one that can share in those joys. "While I realize that we are now in the perils of the last days, that the time has come when the very elect would be deceived were it possible, I feel that our only safety is in girding on the whole gospel armor. Never have I felt the need of anointing my eyes with eye-salve so that I might see as I have the past two weeks. It seems to me that without it we shall be in danger of calling light darkness and darkness light. Truly it is a straight and narrow way through to the kingdom; but while we have the promise that the Word shall be a light to our path, it is possible for us to go through. I really want to go through with the remnant. Eternal life is worth striving for; it is worth living a self-denying, cross-bearing life, here on earth to obtain, and I mean by the grace of God assisting me, to double my diligence, and make it my first and great object to obtain it. I am glad we have a High Priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, who has been tempted in all points like as we are; and he has promised that we shall not be tempted above that we are able to bear, &c. O how precious are the promises to us through Christ. I have of late felt such earnestness of desire, such a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, that I have felt very much encouraged. "The past Spring has been a hard, trying time for me, having been in very poor health, and such a desponding state of mind, that for a season I was almost in despair; but my long-suffering, kind heavenly Father has heard and answered prayer in my behalf, and I am in a measure released from the cruel grasp of the enemy, both body and mind, for which I thank and praise his holy name. I feel the need of digging deep, and building upon the rock; for I fully believe the storm is very near, and I want to be able to stand, and endure to the end, and be saved. The sifting, spuing-out time will surely come. I am glad we can endure and be saved."