Faithfulness and Systematic Benevolence
By Elvira Sanford
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: When I read the cheering letters from you, it gives me courage, especially when I read the letters of those who, like myself, are far from those of like precious faith. Though we are scattered here, we shall not be by and by, for He shall send his angels and gather his elect, and then if we are faithful we shall be found with them. In using the word, faithful, I mean it in its fullest sense, not to be partially faithful in some things while we neglect others. Like the Jews who paid tithes of mint, anise and cummin, but neglected the weightier matters of the law. Let us not only keep the fourth fifth and sixth commandments, but also the tenth. Let us not be covetous. Let us give willingly of what God has given us, to help spread the truth. I rejoice that the plan of systematic benevolence is being established among the remnant, and although we cannot always lay by weekly, yet as often as we can I trust we shall remember our weekly benefits, and lay by something for the cause. I feel like consecrating all I have to him who has done so much for me. I want to be free from this world, and ready to meet my Lord when he comes. Why be tied down to earth? Brethren and sisters, let us begin to cast off the weights that hang about us, and in their stead put on the armor of God. Although I have passed through deep trials of late, the waves of trouble have run over me, but the grace of God has been sufficient for me, and he has sustained me. I will still trust in him. Praise his holy name for overcoming grace. Yes, and he will still impart it to those who put their trust in him, until they conquer the last foe, and stand on mount Zion. Yours striving to be there.
ELVIRA SANFORD.
Ashland, Min., Apr. 18th, 1859.