Waiting by Rosina F. Phippeny

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 11, 1865

Waiting.

By Rosina F. Phippeny

WHILE thinking upon the time in which we are living, my mind is strongly wrought upon. Living in this solemn time of waiting for our Saviour to finish his last work in the heavenly sanctuary. How long ere he will finish it? We may well ask ourselves this question. And while we are thus waiting, are we making ready for his return, that we may stand with him on mount Zion? Or are we dreaming away these precious moments, thinking perhaps, there are many years left us wherein to get ready for that great event? Oh let us not dream too long! but be ready when the Bridegroom comes, having on the wedding garment, ready to go with him to the marriage supper.

We are truly living "in a grand and awful time," surrounded with "wars and commotions," and our own loved country deluged in blood, the horrors of it too awful to contemplate. My God when will it cease! We have been waiting, waiting till the heart has grown sick with hope deferred.

But the Lord will hear the cries of his people. Ere long the sound of war will be hushed for a little season, and the loud cry of the third angel's message go forth in mighty power to those that now only hear the sound of musketry and artillery. Soon those poor bondmen will hear the welcome news of the coming kingdom. And all the honest ones be brought out upon a firm foundation, ready to receive the seal of the living God, and for the conclusion of the grand drama. May God help us to be awake to the duties before us, and give us grace to perform all the same while waiting for the closing scenes.

A few more disappointments, a few more crosses to bear, a few more afflictions and persecutions, and all will be over. We find comfort by going to the inspired word; James says, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and the latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." Jas. v, 7, 8.

It makes my heart glad, to know that soon we shall behold our great Deliverer arrayed in all his glory, descending to gather his elect from among the wicked of the earth. Yes, soon the sighs and groans of the poor bondman will cease; for the great Emancipator will soon come to sever the chain of oppression that now binds him down.

And now while we are waiting for the re-appearing of our Lord, let us pray that righteousness may envelop us as a garment, and strive to possess the mind that was in our blessed Saviour; that we may stand firm and unshaken in the truths of God's holy word. So that when the great Prince of peace shall come, we may be able to stand.

We are surely living amid earth's closing scenes; and how careful ought we to live, that we do nothing that will be brought up in judgment against us, but that we may stand acquitted in that great day.

"Then let us wait, nor deem too long The closing hours of grace, But trim our lamps with cheerful song, Till we shall see his face." ROSINA F. PHIPRENY. North Star, Mich.