Preparing for the Saviour’s Advent
Sister R. C. Farrar writes from Kingston, Wis., Apr. 22, 1860: "I am striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and feel that in so doing there is great reward. David says, "Great peace have they that love thy law." I am not exempted from trials and temptations; but when I remember that Jesus, our great High Priest, the spotless Son of God, was tempted in all points as we are, I would count it all joy that I am permitted to tread in his footsteps, even though marked by blood and tears. I desire that patience may have her perfect work in me, that I may stand approved and blameless before Jesus at his coming." "It was my privilege to attend a conference on the 14th and 15th inst., held at Mackford, Wis., and to listen to discourses from Brn. Sanborn, Seward, and Ingraham. There I heard the third angel's message proclaimed with much force and power. Though I believed in it before, yet I never felt its importance as I do now, or the solemn responsibility that rests upon us who live in these last days. O what a necessity there is for a daily and hourly preparation for the Saviour's advent, that that day come not upon us unawares. And to this end one's whole being should be given up to God, to be moulded and fashioned according to his will." "May God's blessing rest upon the messengers of the truth, who are bearing the last message of mercy to fallen men. May an unction from the Holy One rest upon them, and may the word be preached in demonstration of the Spirit, and with power, such as the world can neither gainsay nor resist. And O, while Jesus is before the mercy-seat, pleading the merits of his blood, may many be led to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." "Dear brethren and sisters, let us pray more earnestly, and more frequently, that we may walk continually in the light of God's reconciled countenance, and exhibit to the world a consistent Christian character. I want to feel constantly the necessity of leaning upon God. I want to keep in view the words of the Saviour, Without me ye can do nothing. I am trying to learn to walk by faith and not by sight, and though clouds sometimes obscure the light of the Sun of Righteousness, yet I feel that God's promises are sure. The foundation of our hope is firm and secure, for it is God's infallible truth."