A Call to Zeal and Self-Denial
By Sister A. M. Lindsley
From Sister A. M. Lindsley. Bro. Smith: When I consider the privilege we as a people enjoy, who are living under the blazing light of present truth, my heart swells with gratitude to God for his mercy and longsuffering, who is not willing that any should perish, but that they should come to a knowledge of the truth, and be saved. O it is a blessed privilege to leave all for God and his cause, a rich consolation to know that we may lay up a treasure in heaven, that there is a way possible for our escape from the blight of sin and the curse, a rest for the faithful in the kingdom of our Father. I look forward with a ray of hope to this blessed fruition. I feel like striving earnestly to die to self, and be in a position where I can honor the Lord by humble obedience. The pathway that lies before the remnant is truly a narrow and rugged one, and were it not that Israel's God is able to save and deliver unto the uttermost, our hearts would indeed fail us as we view the gathering storm of coming events, marked out by prophecy, and already hasting to fulfillment. As we see the mass of minds turning from the truth, and satisfied with fables, and all buried up in the cares and pleasures of this world, we cannot fail to pity them. And will not this lead us to deny self, that we may do others good for whom Christ died. O I feel that we need to get more of the spirit of the last message in our hearts. Is it not high time that we were all aroused to a becoming zeal in this precious cause? Can those who are dead to sin live any longer therein? May the Lord help us to rally around the standard that bears the motto, "The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." And while this is our watchword, let us exemplify it in all our acts and conversation. I rejoice that there is a company that will go through, and it is among this company that I have resolved to enlist, hoping and expecting, if I comply with the conditions, that I shall overcome. It is also a matter of rejoicing that there are others, who are not fully with us, that are investigating the great truths of the Bible, so important at this time. May God bless the candid inquirer.