Gratitude for God’s Advancing Cause
By Mary F. Maxson
DEAR BRN. AND SISTERS: My heart is full of love and gratitude to God, and I feel that I want to communicate to you, something of my thoughts and feelings. I do not know where to begin the song of praise to my heavenly Father, for his great goodness to me. It seems to me, that had I the tongue of an angel, I could not sufficiently speak forth his matchless goodness, and wondrous love. Truly, "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Praise God, the "perfect day" is fast approaching, and I feel that our pathway does indeed grow brighter and brighter. The light of divine truth encircles it like a halo of glory, increasing in radiance and beauty at every advancing step. And it cheers my heart as I hear from week to week through the Review, of the steady advancement of God's cause, and that precious souls are flocking to the glorious standard of truth. God is working for his people, praise to his holy name. And let us remember that "we are working together with him." And let us see to it that we ever have on the whole armor, and are standing at our post of duty. I bless God for his precious trust. It seems to me that none have so great a reason to be thankful for it, as I. It found me a sad, long wanderer from the fold of God, and it unlocked the iron bar of despair in my heart, and bade faith and hope enter. And to-day, I look forward with joyful anticipation of soon wearing a victor's crown, and of standing upon the sea of glass and joining in the soul-thrilling song of victory, which none but the 144,000 can learn. I find that the Christian life is indeed a warfare. And many times I get almost weary "striving with my carnal foes." But the arm of divine love has ever been beneath me, upholding and sustaining me in every conflict and sorrow. Oh, I bless God for what he has done for me. Yet I feel deeply, painfully, that I am not what I should be. I long and pray for holiness, and entire consecration to God. The yearning cry of my heart is Nearer, my God to thee,
Nearer to thee;
Ev'n though it be a cross
That raiseth me. Gladly will I welcome the cross, if it will only entwine the tendrils of my heart more closely around the great, loving heart of him "who reigns in light above." Jesus' love is dearer to me than all earthly friends or treasures, and I feel willing to sacrifice everything if I may but gain his favor. Yea, I count not my life dear unto me, if I may but win the love of Him whom I adore. I feel that I must be more engaged in my Master's cause. I want to be imbued with that sweet spirit of self-denial and devotion which my Saviour possessed. I want more faith, zeal and love. I want A soul inured to pain,
To hardship, grief and loss:
Bold to take up, firm to sustain,
The consecrated cross. It is the greatest desire of my heart to live in such a manner, that the humble, gentle spirit of my Redeemer may shine forth in all my words and actions. But alas, I find too often, "that when I would do good evil is present with me;" and if it was not for the tender compassion of my Saviour, I should, in view of my many sins, sink in despair. But, glory to God, I expect, through the atoning merits of his blood, to be a joyful overcomer, to stand at last with the redeemed, before the dazzling throne of God. At times I feel almost impatient for Jesus to come and take us home. I want to be free from temptation, sin and danger; and I hail, each day with joy, the setting of the sun, for I feel that I am one day nearer home; nearer "To our Father's house on high—
To the green fields and the fountains,
*Of the land beyond the sky." Oh, I long to behold that radiant, happy land. I want to view the eternal mansions of our Father's house. Sometimes I look with the eye of faith upon that city fair, and in my imagination stand upon the crystal sea. I tread with joyful feet, the gold-paved streets of the New Jerusalem, and view with rapture, the harps, the robes, the palms, and the crowns. I drink the pure waters from the crystal stream of life, and cull the "never fading flowers" which grow upon its banks. And, there, seated upon his throne of glory, I behold my Saviour and my king. And in imagination I hear from his dear lips, the sweet words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." What holy rapture fills my soul, as I contemplate that blessed scene. Oh let us take courage, and, with renewed zeal urge our weary feet onward to the Celestial City. It will be but a little while before the joys of Heaven will be ours. Some of us, I know, feel weak, trembling, and unworthy. But we need not be discouraged, though only the buds of grace appear in our souls. Let us plead with God to bedow them with drops from the "living fountain," to let the sunlight of his love shine upon them, and gradually they will expand into beautiful, perfect flowers of holiness and love. Oh, let us awake, and consecrate ourselves anew to the service of God. Surely it is death to sleep now. We must watch, fight, and pray or we shall be shaken out. "Finally, let us be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. And when He, who is our life shall appear, we shall have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at his coming." Yours in hope and love.
MARY F. MAXSON.