p. 94 | Letters by Hannah Clough

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 10, 1859

Letters.

By Hannah Clough

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."

From Sister Clough.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: We are living in an interesting period of time, (perilous though it may be,) yet deeply fraught with interest to the children of God, especially so, to those who have the light on present truth. We as a people profess great things; we profess to believe that the Saviour is soon coming to redeem his chosen people. We believe that it will be in this generation. Are we getting our hearts in order for that solemn event? How it stands us in hand to be examining ourselves, and comparing ourselves with the standard, and study to be approved of God; and then our efforts in behalf of others will be to some purpose. I for my own part feel the need of a deeper work of grace in my heart in order to suitably improve the short time I may have to work. It will be a very holy people that will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. They will be pure and upright in all their ways; they will have cleansed themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. (That is, they will have cleansed themselves from the filthy use of tobacco and every other unnecessary drug; they will keep their persons as well as their houses clean.) Their trust will be wholly in the Lord, and in the efficacy of the precious blood of Jesus Christ that cleanseth from all sin. Their robes have been washed and made white; they have had their eyes anointed with eye-salve, and see clearly their duty, and have done it as they went along—have done it indeed not to be seen of men, but with an eye single to the glory of God. They have got the gold tried in the fire, and they are rich. They have been willing to give up their good name and their worldly substance, if they had any, for the sake of a treasure in the kingdom. They have been willing to suffer the loss of all things in this world, that they may attain to the possession of all things in that better land.

Dear brethren and sisters, who of us shall be prepared to stand when the Saviour shall come? for he is like a refiner's fire and fuller's soap. Oh how important it is that we seek earnestly for the Spirit of the Lord to help us to nerve ourselves up to the work of getting ready, that we seek to overcome our evil tempers and habits, our pride of heart, our vanity of mind, our proneness to light and trifling conversation, and everything that is contrary to the pure love of God in the heart.

May the Lord help us to keep humble and low at the feet of Jesus, and possess our souls in patience, and overcome the powers of darkness that we may be saved in the day of his coming.

Your in love, HANNAH CLOUGH.

West Charleston, Vt.