Baptisms and Hope in Christ’s Return
By Susan Elmer
Bro. Smith: I would say to the brethren and sisters scattered abroad, that I am striving to make my way through this dark world of sin and sorrow to that better land, where the care-worn pilgrims ere long will rest. Brn. Bean and Sperry have been laboring with us, and we trust their labors have not been in vain. The little church here was refreshed. Six were baptized, mostly youth, and others are waiting the first opportunity. We have reason to take courage. “Jesus now is passing by,
Calling mourners to him.”
Surely his condescension, infinite compassion, and untiring love are enough to soften the hardest heart. Many there are who feel that they would have rejoiced to see this Saviour at his first advent; and if so, why not get ready and rejoice to hail his return? If in the days of his humiliation he could command such curiosity and draw such crowds together; if when he took upon himself the form of a servant, and came to suffer and die, he was gazed upon by thousands with admiration, and hailed by them as their great Deliverer; if then it was such a theme of rejoicing to behold him, what will be the grandeur and sublimity of that scene when he shall come in the glory of his Father and of the holy angels? Glorious will be those angels! spotless their robes, brilliant their crowns, enrapturing their music! But what sound bursts upon the astonished world? It is the voice of Him that once called Lazarus from the grave; that voice now reverberating through earth, reaches the lowest caverns of the deep, and wakes the countless millions of the just. They come forth blooming with health and immortal beauty, and join in the triumphant shout, O grave, where is thy victory? May the Lord help us to so live that we may be ready to witness the solemn and glorious scenes that are so soon to transpire. Let us renew our covenant with the Lord, gird up the loins of our minds, and hope unto the end for the glory that shall be revealed at the appearing of our Saviour.