Preparing to Meet the Saviour
My Dear Brethren and Sisters: I have of late been thinking much upon the present truth; and the question arises in my mind, do we live it out? does our daily walk and conversation show that we have put on Christ? are we striving to overcome all our evil besetments? do we in all things have an eye single to the glory of God? are we laying up our treasures in heaven? are we making any progress in divine life from day to day? are we following our Saviour through evil as well as good report, or do we in some things deny our Lord? are we making preparations to meet him when he comes to make up his jewels? do we crucify self daily, or are we making provisions for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof? do we show to the world around us that this is not our home or continuing city; but that we are seeking for that city that is out of sight, whose builder and maker is God? O my brethren and sisters, I am determined through the grace of God, to meet you on mount Zion where we can sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Let us be engaged in this good and glorious cause, knowing that if we faint not, in due time we shall reap our reward. There is nothing in this world that should cause us to step aside out of the path of duty. We should keep our faces Zionward, our minds should be above the things of this life. We should continually be striving to press forward. Let us contend earnestly for the151prize; let us realize the worth of eternal life; and when we fully see what it has cost to purchase this salvation for us, methinks any sacrifice will seem small compared with the one that has been made for us. If we look at the sufferings of Jesus for us, we shall not think of complaining or murmuring on account of our light afflictions here which are but for a moment. When we consider how he was treated when upon earth, and that it was for our sakes, and when we were sinners, can we not love him seeing how he first loved us? The Lord does not require anything that is impossible of us. Those of us that are poor, if we cast in our mites into the treasury of the Lord, it will tell us did the poor widow's; and those of us that are able let us give liberally, knowing that he that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly. If we but gain eternal life, we shall not think on these light trials that we have to pass through here. I am well satisfied that it will take all to buy the field. The Lord requires the whole heart. If we keep back part of the price it will not be acceptable. O may we make right use of our Lord's goods that he has intrusted to us, that we may return his portion with usury. I want to cut loose from the world, that I may have no clogs to hold me here. Brethren and sisters, I feel interested for the salvation of precious souls that are perishing for the want of truth to guide them in the path to heaven. Can we not rest satisfied while others are dying a spiritual death? Oh no, we must awake out of this dormant state and be up and doing while it is day; for these are precious moments to us. Yours striving to overcome.
Peter S. Ferciot. Lovett's Grove, Ohio, March 12th, 1859.