Overcoming Through Diligence
By M. L. Priest
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: While some of our dear brethren in the ministry, worn down with care and labor have turned aside to rest, and regain their health, shall we not try to double our diligence, and by so doing help to forward this great work. Many will doubtless inquire, What can I do? While weighing this question, the settled response of my heart is, I can overcome, and thus be prepared for usefulness. Are there not many who will with me enter into the work with zeal and courage? We have had one exhortation after another. Shall they fail to arouse us? I would try to encourage that poor weak one, who is resolving and re-resolving, and still is overcome, to make a greater effort to get the victory. Dear brother or sister, it is our privilege to come off conquerors. You may say, I am almost discouraged. Why so? Has the word of God failed? That says "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you; draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you." Or is it because we neglect to spend our first waking moments in earnest prayer for a watchful, prayerful frame of mind? Do we continue to desire it all through the day? If so, the promise, "Ask and receive," is for us. "As thy day is thy strength shall be." "My grace is sufficient," saith He who now pleads for us before the Father. He bids us be of good courage, for he has overcome. "If Satan comes in upon us like a flood, the Lord will lift up a standard against him." Remember, "He is a strong tower into which the righteous can run and be safe." It will cost a struggle to get the victory; but through Christ strengthening us, we can do all things. Do we believe it? Do we fully realize the solemn time in which we live? That the work is closing up, that He who now intercedes for us will soon cease his pleading, and that we have something to do? Our influence is for or against the truth. Oh, shall these precious moments pass, and we still keep on sinning and repenting, and others stumbling over us, while we are all passing on to the judgment? Or shall we beg of the Lord to help us set a watch before the door of our lips, and keep our hearts with all diligence, and try to adorn our profession with a well-ordered life and godly conversation, and thus be lights to the world, have the favor of Heaven, and at last share in the overcomers reward? That we may do this, is the earnest desire and prayer of your unworthy sister, South Lancaster, Mass., Nov. 17, 1865.