I. D. VAN HORN by I. D. Van Horn

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 30, 1860

I. D. VAN HORN

By I. D. Van Horn

From Bro. Van Horn.

BRO. SMITH: I feel truly to rejoice in the Lord and to praise his name for the blessings constantly bestowed upon me, and for the love of the truth, which makes the name of God the principal object of my pursuit, and makes me willing to give heed to the counsels of the word of God.

I am still striving to get the mastery over my besetting sins, that I may come up to a closer walk with God, and pursue the path of holiness with more vigor and determination than I have done heretofore; for I know that without holiness no man can see the Lord. And I also feel the importance of the time in which we are living; for those who would be heirs of salvation must be up and doing; yea, they must work out their salvation with fear and trembling. It would be well for us to heed the counsel of Paul to the Romans, “And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and in drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Chap. xiii, 11-14.

Though we may often endure trials and temptations, they only serve to make us more humble, and we are brought to see our own helplessness and our folly in trying to go forward in our own strength. Let us therefore strive on, for we have the promise that we shall reap in due season if we faint not.

I for one am determined by the assisting grace of God to walk on with the remnant people to mount Zion. I want to see the end of the race. I want to be ready and looking for my Saviour when he comes to take his people home. O how happy I am when I contemplate the beauties of that home. Then my trials and temptations seem as light afflictions which work out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. I long to be there and be at rest. It is my earnest desire so to live, that my ways please the Lord; that I may one day meet my brethren and sisters before the throne of God, and sing his praise forevermore.

Yours in hope of eternal life.

I. D. VAN HORN

Mt. Hawley, Ills.