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TO THE LONE PILGRIMS

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 31, 1859

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 13, No. 19.

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TO THE LONE PILGRIMS.

By James White

The Jubilee is coming. The year of release to the oppressed is at hand. The conflict with the powers of darkness will soon be ended; and then, if faithful, the victor's crown of glory will be yours. What though the way grows rougher, and the conflict severer, did we not expect it? Did we not count the cost? Are we not looking for trouble and affliction and persecution? The way to be prepared for the fiery trial which is to try us, is to bear with patience and cheerfulness our present trials. They will do us good if properly endured and improved. Though we are in the midst of perils—though iniquity abounds and the love of many grows cold, yet, the blessed promise is, He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. There is something to endure, but the Lord loves us and is willing to save us.
"O thou afflicted" inhabitant of Zion, "tossed with tempest and not comforted!" thou son or daughter of Jerusalem above! the Lord loves you, and you may triumph over the powers of darkness. Thou lone pilgrim, bound down with oppression, and feeling as if there were none to sympathize with, and pray for you; look up, and press forward; for neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor heighth, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Those iron bands of oppression shall be broken. The time is not far distant when, if faithful, "thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear; and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." See Isa. liv, 11-14. No one can deprive the weakest saint of salvation. Thank the Lord! salvation is free. It is within our reach. The poorest and most oppressed may be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that God has promised to them that love him.
God hears thy sighs, and sees thy tears. We have a God that seeth in secret, and he will reward us openly. He knows all our grief. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust. We have also an High Priest that can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Angels are interested in our behalf, and the saints of God are praying for us. What cause then to fear? Friends and companions may turn against us, fathers and mothers may forsake us, but then the Lord will take us up.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Let patience have its perfect work. These fires are intended to take away our dross; and though the furnace wax hot, let us lie passive in the crucible, till the refiner and purifier of silver can see his own image in us.
Let no lone pilgrim despond, or faint because of the oppressor. The Jubilee is coming—the time of the promise is drawing near. The strong man armed will soon let his prisoners loose homewards; for a stronger than he is coming, and will spoil his goods. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him; for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. The sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved forever.
Take courage, fellow pilgrim. Put on the whole armor of God. The conflict, though sharp, cannot be long. The victory can be won, in the strength of our Redeemer. And then the prize—the victor's crown, the harps of God! Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Though now deprived of the society of the saints, never despair. With calm resignation wait for the Lord. Lean upon his mighty arm which is able to support you; and soon you will meet with the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven.
"Lone pilgrim, cease that mournful sigh, Look up! redemption draweth nigh." J. W.