"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
From Bro. Wilcox.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS : Suffer me to suggest some solemn thoughts which demand serious consideration of us all as we desire the prosperity of the glorious cause of present truth.
Have we as a people faithfully heeded the counsel of the faithful and true witness (which most if not all of us profess to believe applies to this people in these last lingering moments of probation) as recorded in Rev. iii 14-20.
Is there not a cause why the message moves so tardily here in the east? If so is it not our imperative duty to search and see where the hindrance lies.
Have we done all that a righteous God requires at our hands in order that the King's highway may be cleared for the car of salvation to move steadily on?
Have we carefully examined this highway of holiness which is cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in, to see whether there be any obstacles or hindrances in the way?
If we as a people have neglected this part of our work too much, is it not our duty according to our profession to set about the work most earnestly without delay?
Is it not exceedingly dangerous and presumptuous in view of the many deep laid snares of the enemy to entrap our wayward feet in this evil day of procrastination, to put off these things.7
Has not God a people who are not yet identified with us, who are yet to be reached by the saving influence of present truth?
Are there not others upon whom God has his eye who have never tasted of the good word of God and of the powers of the world to come, whose hearts will yet be touched with his love and be led to obey his truth? We all profess to believe so.
Is it not a fact that some of these honest precious souls are halting and stumbling over the crooked inconsistent course of some who profess to believe and obey the solemn message of the third angel?
Hath not God said in his holy word, "Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-blocks out of the way of my people?" Surely this important injunction was written for our learning and admonition in these last days, as well as others.
Again, God solemnly declares that the stumbling-blocks shall be destroyed with the wicked.
May the Lord in infinite mercy stir us up to deeply realize and see all things which stand in the way of his cause, as never before.
In view of our unfaithfulness to the sacred trust committed to our care in the high and holy calling of God in Christ Jesus, have we not cause for deep sorrow and humiliation of heart before a holy God who is no respecter of persons, but of character.
Dear brethren, I am truly sorry for any cause wherein I may have dishonored the cause of my dear Redeemer in any way.
At times of late I have had some of a realizing sense of the exceeding benevolence and tender compassion that moved the dearly beloved Son of God, when he cheerfully condescended in amazing love to leave his Father's bright realms, to come down into this dark world of sin and woe. Yes, such was his tender love and great benevolence that he was willing to lead a life of suffering and self-denial, by doing good unto all men as he had opportunity, whether friend or foe. And what is still more wonderful, is that he condescended to endure the most intense agony in Gethsemane's garden, when he "sweat as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground," and insults and scorn of that cruel, relentless mob, who pierced his sacred brow, placing upon it a crown of thorns, and nailed his tender hands and feet to the infamous cross. And all this he bore without a murmur, for his enemies, when his earthly friends forsook him and fled. In the midst of this cruel treatment he feelingly prayed, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.
O that the Lord in mercy may give me and all his remnant people a large measure of that same forgiving spirit that characterized our adorable Redeemer while bleeding in agony on the cross; and also more of that Spirit he had when with a pitying heart he wept over Jerusalem as he exclaimed, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not."
Were it not for the deep pity and feeling of tender compassion of that lovely Saviour, I might well despair of mercy; for I feel that I need his forgiving mercy extended towards me. But how can I, or others expect to feel his pardoning love in our hearts unless we are in deed and in truth willing to forgive men their trespasses. Says Jesus, "If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses."
O that the Spirit of truth may work deep repentance in all our hearts and lead us to make all due confessions, whether to saint or sinner, and lead us to thoroughly amend all our ways that are sinful in the sight of a just God. And may the kind and compassionate Spirit exhibited by the meek and lovely Jesus while in this world, lead us also to "put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering," which will enable us with the grace of God to be very careful not to wound or grieve the feelings of any fellow mortal whether friend or foe unnecessarily; for God has many dear children who do not as yet see as we do.
And may all narrow-mindedness or contracted feelings be done away, and our hearts, may they be enlarged to act more and more upon the great benevolent principles set forth in the gospel of Christ.
Our hearts should be moved with tender emotions towards our fellow mortals who are out of the ark of safety; and we should watch every opportunity to do them good, and in the name of Jesus, with his tender love burning in our hearts, warn and entreat them to flee from the wrath (so soon) to come upon all them that love not God and obey not the gospel.
To this end may the Lord give us all much heavenly wisdom, good judgment and quick understanding, and lead us to make every due confession however humbling it may be to self, that the King's high way may be cleared of every obstacle in order that the message may soon go to the scattered ones in mighty power in the East as well as West, and that the blood of souls be not found on our garments. J. A. WILCOX.
N. Y. City.