A Determined Walk With God
By I. D. Van Horn
Bro. Smith: I ever feel willing to bear my testimony for the truth, and to do all the duties that devolve upon me, in the fear of the Lord. I have started to serve the Lord by obeying the truth as presented by the third angel's message; and I am fully determined by the assisting grace of God, to walk humbly before him, in all his commandments, and in the testimony of Jesus. I want to be honest in this matter, and serve the Lord with all my heart; for he hath shown me the path of truth, and made me willing to obey. Praise be to his holy name forever! I have not the least desire to turn back, and thus cast a reproach upon the cause of truth; but I have an earnest desire to arise from my cold formality and lukewarmness, and seek a closer walk with God. I find by experience that we must clothe ourselves with the whole armor of God, in order to successfully withstand all the attacks of the adversary. We are truly living in perilous times, when Satan is working with great power to deceive mankind, and entice the unwary traveler into his snare. The apostle James tells us how to get rid of this enemy of all righteousness. He says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God; resist the Devil and he will flee from you." Chap. iv, 7. We can do nothing of ourselves; therefore it is necessary that we first submit to God, and then we shall be able to overcome, and come off conquerors in the end. Since reading the contents of Good Samaritan No. 6, I have felt the necessity of watching and praying, and of giving up myself more fully to God, that I may go on with the remnant to mount Zion, and not be led away, for I see that the enemy is at work even in our midst. O Lord, save thy people, and help them to trust in thee. I love the truth with all my heart; for it is the truth that hath made me free. I have read Spiritual Gifts (both volumes) and can say that I have full confidence in them; for, to my mind, as far as I understand the word of God, they are in accordance with it. I love the Lord and his cause, for he hath promised salvation to those that seek him with all the heart. May God help us all to overcome, that we may be partakers of that rest that remains for the people of God. Yours in hope of eternal life.
I. D. Van Horn.
Mt. Hawley, Peoria Co., Ills.