Heeding the Counsel to Laodicea
By L. B. Abbey
BRO. SMITH—With feelings of gratitude and praise to our heavenly Father for his great kindness to me, and also to all the dear children scattered abroad, I wish to say a few words through the Review, for the reading of which I am indebted to those kind friends who send it to the poor. Cheering indeed are the spirited epistles which come to us from week to week, laden with truths which are calculated to stir up and encourage our hearts, and enable us to quicken our pace towards the heavenly Jerusalem. Since the counsel to the Laodiceans has been sounding through our ranks, I have had many misgivings, and also many temptations; but of late truly the Lord has enabled me again to hope, and lift up my head and rejoice, for which I praise his excellent name. O praise the Lord! My spirit doth rejoice in God my Saviour. I think Sister Austin's illustration exactly to the point. "We must needs go through Laodicea:" we must be truly a just and upright people, to be accepted of God. But that we were found in a lukewarm state was not necessary. But O how condescending is our dear Saviour, to give this counsel to us, in a time when we were in so much need of it; and has enabled many to heed it. And they are endeavoring to sanctify themselves, that they may obtain that gold which will enable them to stand in the trying day that is just before us. With what gratitude we should bow ourselves before the Lord for his great mercy to us, in awakening us, that we may arouse ourselves, and awake, and examine ourselves, whether we be in the faith. Prove your own selves. How shall we prove ourselves? I understand it is by searching the word of God to see if our lives correspond with that. If they do, then shall we have confidence in God, and our hearts will not condemn us. Then also "I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates." One says they think the tried gold must be faith; another love. I think it must be "that faith which works by love and purifies the heart," and will enable us to pass through the furnace unhurt, with not even the smell of fire upon our garments. O how precious is the word of God to those who are striving to be all in readiness to meet the coming Saviour. May the Lord help us all to still give diligent heed to the counsel of the faithful and true Witness,7that we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of man. I often think of the lonely ones who have said, Pray for me, who have not the privilege of meeting with the dear brethren on the Sabbath, and have no preaching except in the paper. But, dear brethren and sisters, be encouraged. It is but a short journey now before the pearly gates will be opened, the Saviour will appear, and all the dear children who have been struggling long and hard to obtain the crown, will meet never more to part. There is room for us in the new earth,
A home for us in glory.
Yours hoping to meet all the saints in glory.
L. B. ABBEY.
N. Brookfield, Apr. 18th, 1857.