BE FAITHFUL by Geo. Wright

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 22, 1860

BE FAITHFUL.

By Geo. Wright

"O brother, be faithful! Eternity's years Shall tell for thy faithfulness now."

Every inducement that can be presented to the mind of man is held forth in the sacred oracles to encourage and stimulate every honest heart to be faithful. Dear brethren and sisters, have you forsaken all for Christ? Then listen to his gracious promise as recorded in Mark x, 29, 30. "Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." Yes, my brethren, if we are faithful a little longer we shall be glorified with faithful Abraham, and share in his glorious inheritance. Paul tells us in Gal. iii, 29, that if we are Christ's then are we Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. Let us contemplate what is contained in the full fruition of this promised possession. Peter informs us it is incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away. Who would not strive to be an overcomer? Think of it for a moment! A crown of never-fading glory to be placed on our heads. An Eden of beauty and glory is soon to shine forth in all its primeval grandeur as at first, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. Job xxxviii, 7. Who would think of looking back, or of complaining of the straightness of the way? Methinks I see every honest soul choosing with Moses rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, and esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. He had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

Yes, my brethren, this glorious kingdom is worth every sacrifice we can make, every trial we are called to endure. It will then be cheap enough. Paul was willing to suffer the loss of all things that he might attain to it.

O that we as a people could realize the responsibilities more fully that rests upon us. Time is hurrying on. Eternity is near. What is done must be done quickly. I feel like crying out with the poet,

"Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve, And press with vigor on; A heavenly race demands thy zeal, And an immortal crown."

Souls are perishing around us. There is a famine for the word of life. The harvest is great and the laborers few. Let us unite our prayers as a church, east, west, north and south, to the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers. Let us plead, Jacob-like, it may be we shall prevail. We shall if we ask in faith, nothing wavering. God will answer. Jesus will plead. Good angels will hover around. Jesus says, Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

It is said of a certain English general that on the eve of a great battle he addressed his army in the following concise and expressive language: "England expects every man to do his duty." So with us, my brethren, who are engaged in this glorious warfare. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Jesus the great captain of our salvation expects us all to do our duty. Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompense of reward; for ye have need of patience that after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Heb. x, 35-37.

"Christian rouse! fight in this warfare, Cease not till the victory's won, Till your Captain loud proclaimeth, Servant of the Lord! well done. He alone, who thus is faithful, Who abideth to the end, Hath the promise, in the kingdom An eternity to spend." GEO. WRIGHT. Lapeer, Mich.