Almost Home by A. S. Hutchins

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 10, 1858

Almost Home.

By A. S. Hutchins

How cheering and soul-inspiring is the reflection to the lonely pilgrim as he bends his footsteps towards Mt. Zion, that his journey is almost completed, that he is almost home.

"Not far from home! O blessed thought! The traveler's lonely heart to cheer; Which oft a healing balm has brought, And dried the mourner's tear."

But a conflict, a trying struggle with the powers of darkness must be endured before we reach our happy home. "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. xii, 17. Now is the time for us to suffer with Christ. But soon if faithful we shall reign with him. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us."

In view of the fiery trial to which the remnant are exposed, the Apostle drops the following comforting words: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." 1 Pet. iv, 12-14.

But we shall fall in the battle, and fail to reach the kingdom, except we have on the whole armor. It is our privilege to be strong in the Lord. And through watchfulness, faithfulness and obedience to the word of the Lord, we may be.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For 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." Eph. vi, 10-13.

Now our redemption draweth nigh. The adorable Redeemer is near, "EVEN AT THE DOORS." The sleeping saints will awake to life and immortality soon, and with the righteous living, be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. O, blessed thought! O, glorious moment! The end of sickness, pain and death, to this happy throng!

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words." 1 Thess. iv, 14-18.

O, brethren and sisters, do you comfort one another with this blessed hope? Do you exhort one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching? Is your conversation in heaven? Is your treasure there? Is your heart there? Or is the love of this poor fading world crippling your energies, and eating up your affections for the truth, and for heaven?

Awake! arouse! Bestir yourselves, I beseech you, and give to this world one overwhelming testimony, ere the sound of mercy dies away, that heaven is worth giving all for.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt. v, 16. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." 1 Pet. ii, 15.

"Heir of the kingdom, O, why dost thou slumber; Why art thou sleeping so near thy blest home? Wake thee, arouse thee, and gird on thine armor, Speed, for the moments are hurrying on."

A. S. HUTCHINS.

Battle Creek, Mich., June 6th, 1858.