Testimony Amid Persecution
By R. Sawyer
Bro. Smith: I feel like giving in my testimony with those scattered ones who are keeping the commandments of God and have faith in Jesus. I feel to praise the Lord for a willing mind to hear the truth and to do his will in all things. In trying thus to do I have met with persecution, and expect still to meet it. The nearer we come to the unity of the faith, the more we get of the knowledge of the Son of God, the more the dragonic spirit will be manifested towards us. The Apostle says in 2 Tim. iii, 12, Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, &c. So in this world we must expect tribulation. Yet to those who overcome and are faithful unto the end, the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, is so much greater as not to be compared to the light afflictions and persecutions which they may be called to endure in this life. If we are faithful Jesus will be our Friend, he who overcame the world and is now our mediator in the heavenly Sanctuary, presenting his precious blood that our sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, Acts iii, 19. Angels will be our ministering spirits, to comfort, strengthen, and waft the darkness away that is being pressed on our minds by the agents of the evil one. It is my heart's desire to give earnest heed to the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, be zealous and open the door of my heart that my dear Saviour may come in and take up his abode there and fill it with joys the world can never give nor take away. I want to be clothed with righteousness as with a garment. I desire the prayers of God's people that I may be one of that number that shall stand on Mt. Zion having their Father's name written in their foreheads, and in whose mouth will be found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God.