Words of Sympathy by Charlotte Webster

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 13, 1865

Words of Sympathy.

By Charlotte Webster

WHEN bowed down with sorrow, let us remember that Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Have we crosses to bear? let us remember what Christ has borne for us. All we can bear or suffer cannot compare with what Christ has suffered for us. Oh! what matchless love he has manifested toward us! He left his glorious abode in Heaven, came down to earth, was despised and rejected by the Jews, crucified, suffered death, yes the ignominious death of the cross. He is laid in the tomb. Where now is man's hope of redemption? Even his disciples are sad. They reason together. While sorrow fills their hearts, Jesus draws near, and beginning at Moses and all the prophets he expounds the Scriptures concerning himself. He makes himself known unto them. What joy now fills the hearts of his disciples, while they are saying to each other, Truly the Lord has risen. Jesus again stands in their midst. He says, Peace be unto you. But they were now afraid and supposed they had seen a spirit but Jesus requests them to handle him and see. Said he, "A spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have." He also ate before them and proved himself the same Jesus that had three days before laid in the tomb.

Yes the mighty Conqueror comes forth, bringing with him the keys of death and the grave. Then let us bear the persecutions and trials of life cheerfully; for this same Jesus is soon coming to earth the second time without sin unto salvation. He will unlock the prison house of his faithful followers and an abundant entrance will be ministered unto them into the glorious kingdom which Christ has purchased for his people by his sufferings and death. Are we surrounded by poverty, and sickness, Jesus has promised us an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. No sickness there; for we can then eat of the tree of life; and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. The lame man shall leap as the hart. Sorrow and sighing shall forever flee away.

But how are we to become heirs to this rich inheritance? See 2 Cor. vi, 16, 17, "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols; for ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor. vii, 1. "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Rev. xxii, 14. "Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. xiv, 12. "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

Yes we must be patient even in affliction. If we approach the Father in humble, confiding prayer, he will give us grace to bear afflictions with patience and enable us to say, Thy will, not mine be done. We must keep all his commandments, no matter who may scoff, or who may scorn us for so doing. We must have faith in the teachings of our blessed Redeemer and manifest our faith by a well-ordered life and godly conversation. Like Paul we must fight the good fight of faith, if we would lay hold on eternal life, that we may also be of that number that is called to sit down on the right hand of God. Let us therefore bear life's trials and afflictions with patience, knowing that such precious promises are given to us. Though we may be poor in the things of this world, yet we may be rich in faith, and heirs to the kingdom of God.

"Oh! hasten blessed Saviour, In glory come to reign, And thus remove forever All sorrow grief and pain." Charlotte Webster.

North Star, Mich.