ALMIRA C. HUDSON by Almira C. Hudson

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 17, 1858

ALMIRA C. HUDSON

By Almira C. Hudson

From Sister Hudson.

BRO. SMITH : I have been much edified by reading Scott's Notes on passages that refer to Covenants, and Grace, and Law, and I have thought perhaps some of the readers of the Review might be so also.

Christ is indeed the chief corner-stone in the spiritual building, but Christ is not a minister of sin, and sin is the transgression of the law. The holy heart exclaims, How love I thy law. It is my meditation all the day. I esteem it more than my necessary food. But the commandment to the unholy is a stimulus to commit sin. The natural heart feels that stolen waters are sweet. It is wonderful, it is perfectly astonishing that watchmen upon the walls of Zion should be heard to say that the moral law contained in the ten commandments is done away. I can esteem such sayings only as sacrifice upon their drags, and incense burnt to their nets. It cannot be that they are intellectually ignorant of the relations of the two covenants, while in the natural course of their reading, they are acquainted with such works as Scott's Comments on the Bible. Or to say nothing of human writings, if they had studied the Bible with humble, teachable dispositions, they would themselves speak the sentiment that Jesus utters when he says, He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. Jno. xiv, 21. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. Jno. xiv, 24. He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Jno. viii, 47. Hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments. He that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself so to walk even as he walked. We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him and he in him. There is besides, the innumerable testimony through the whole Bible of the excellency of the law, statutes, and commandments of God. Yes, they are perfection; and if perfect, not to be changed.

ALMIRA C. HUDSON

Ganges, Mich., May 16th, 1858.