R. F. COTTRELL by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · March 25, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 13

R. F. COTTRELL

By Roswell F. Cottrell

TO DIST. NO. 1, NEW YORK.

THE time is swiftly approaching when the Judgment in the sanctuary will decide the destiny of all for eternity. Do we realize it! and are we preparing for the event, striving to be ready for the close of our probation? My heart is often in great distress and heaviness for you, my brethren, fearing you may be lost, and that, too, through my unfaithfulness. Forgive me for my failures. I will still hope in God, and strive, by faithfulness in the future, to redeem the time and lay hold on eternal life. This is my one object in regard to myself, and I ardently desire the same for you. Will you unite with me in doing the work God has given us to do, and so secure the gift so freely offered to us?

We have had warning after warning; but have we heeded them? Do we zealously repent of our wrongs? or have we regarded those warnings as idle tales? It is time that we show by our works—by earnest labor in the cause of God—that we believe that God is in this work, and that to disregard his voice will lead to ruin. Our words and works should show that we are zealously striving to put away our faults, taking hold of the work of the Lord in earnest, and in unison with the people of God.

But I would not say a word to discourage any one. We may be saved, notwithstanding our past failures and sins. A strong and persevering effort, looking to God for help, will bring us back to the favor of God. A worldly, selfish spirit must be conquered, and a spirit of union and brotherly love must be cultivated. Each one who will engage in the work of love and union, caring for the souls of others, feeling that he is his brother’s keeper, will be revived and enjoy the approval of Heaven. There is a duty for each one to do, and no one can be excused from this duty because of the faults of others. Who, who will take hold with me to build up the cause here, to return to God from our backslidings, and engage with all our powers in the work of warning the world and saving our fellow-men? I will try. Give me your hand.