Watchfulness in the Last Days
DEAR BRO. SMITH: The spontaneous language of my heart is, God is good. O, praise his holy name! I love him for his tender mercies and long loving kindness to his dear children. I am truly grateful for a place among those who strive to serve him in word and in deed. It is a great satisfaction to me that it is our privilege to understand our whereabouts in the stream of prophecy. One waymark after another we have passed, till we know we are near the hour of happy deliverance. O, blessed thought! O, sweet reflection! "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. We are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." 1 Thess. v, 4-6. Now is the time for us to be sober and watch unto prayer. Now is the time to put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. "For," says the Apostle, "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Eph. vi, 12-17. By assisting grace it is my firm purpose to stand with the children of God amidst their conflicts and trials here, that I may stand with them upon mount Zion. Yours in hope. A. S. HUTCHINS.
Barton Landing, Vt., Dec. 19th, 1858.