Encouragement in the Christian Race
Sister S. A. Bailey writes from Lorain, N. Y. : “My heart has many times been cheered and encouraged by reading communications from brethren and sisters, and the thought has occurred to my mind that perhaps I might say one encouraging word to some weary one. It is eight years since I commenced trying to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and I feel to thank God that he ever opened my eyes that I might behold wondrous things out of his law, and turn away my feet from his holy Sabbath. I feel that I can say that I love God, I love his cause, and I love his people, and I want to be humble enough to have a place with them here, and at last enter with them into the kingdom. Here we are subject to sorrow, disease and death, and many times the hand of affliction does press heavily upon us, and had we not a strong arm to uphold we should surely fall; yet I feel that all these are designed for our good, to cut us loose from the world and bring us near to God. I feel to rejoice that there is a rest for the weary, although I many times fear lest I shall come short of entering therein, yet I do feel like laying aside every weight, running with patience the race set before us, ever looking unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. I am glad that we have such an high priest that can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. How soothing and peaceful in time of trouble to know that we can cast our care upon Jesus, and that he careth for us. I want to love Jesus more. I want to realize more what he has done for me. I want to be faithful unto him in all things, so that I may have part in the first resurrection on which the second death shall have no power.”