Striving to Make Her Calling Sure
Sister E. Wilcox writes from Hubbardsville, N. Y., "By the grace of God I am striving to walk in the staight and narrow way which leads unto eternal life. O, what is all this vain world worth, in comparison with this? I want eternal life at the expense of all things else. I feel very thankful for the precious privileges I enjoy from day to day, and I want to improve upon them as I shall wish I had done when called to render up my account to God, the Judge of all. But especially I feel thankful that I ever was led to see my lost, and ruined condition without a Saviour, and that I was enabled to flee to him for mercy. I hope and trust he has heard my cry. I feel thankful that I ever heard the first message, and the second, and third, and that I ever tried to heed them. I am sorry that I have not more fully lived up to them, that I have not been a bolder soldier of the cross, that I have not followed the meek and lowly Jesus more fully, and been instrumental in doing more good. O, I want to improve upon every remaining moment as I shall wish I had when the last one is past. They are fast being numbered and I want to realize it more fully, and give all dilligence to make my calling and election sure. I often fear that I shall be left to my own ways, and finally come short. Oh! who could endure that awful sentence from the dear Saviour, Depart from me, I know you not. I want to be a doer of the work, and not a forgetful hearer. I feel thankful that the Lord has borne with me, in my unfaithfulness so long, and that he is still saying unto me, This is the way, walk ye in it. I feel thankful that I was ever led to see, and embrace the holy Sabbath; and though unworthy was numbered with commandment-keepers. I am thankful that I have the Review to read. I want the truths it advocates to have their sanctifying influence on my heart, and I want to be enabled to live them out and finally have an inheritance with all the redeemed on mount Zion."