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Passport to Heaven, January 26
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the
things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the
things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen
are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17, 18
.
I address you and your children. I sympathize with you in your bereave-
ment at this time. If I were with you, I could speak words of comfort to you,
but as I am not, I can only trace a few lines, and let you know that I do not
forget you in your affliction....
We are in the evening of this earth’s history, and we may lay away our
dead, knowing that they are hid for a little moment until the indignation be
overpast. We need not mourn for them as those who have ho hope; for their
life is hid with Christ in God. We have every reason to rejoice....
The difficulties which those who put on Christ and keep His command-
ments must undergo, are not of Christ’s designing. “If any man will come
after me,” He says, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow
me” (
Matthew 16:24
). The duty of intelligent souls is to hold to the truth, to
practice virtue. We are born with a disinclination to both. It is sad to find in
one’s own constitution an opposition to virtues that are commendable in the
sight of God, as submission, charity, sweetness of spirit, and patience that
will not be provoked. Say to yourselves, dear children, I am weakness, but
God is my strength. He has given me my post of duty. The General whom I
serve bids me be an overcomer....
Let the affliction that has come to your family circle be a blessing to
you all. Our dear sister, your mother, loved Jesus. Her warfare is ended.
You are to remember that she rests in hope. “When Christ, who is our
life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him” (
Colossians 3:4
). Let
the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit come into your hearts. Open the
door of your hearts, that Jesus may enter as an honored guest, and you will
have a Comforter. “This is my commandment, That ye love one another”
(
John 15:12
). Let the hearts of the living draw close to one another. Let each
try to be a blessing to the other, and not a hindrance....
Let us prepare for the coming of the Son of man. Let us be true to God,
and we shall receive the crown of life.—
Letter 10, January 26, 1898
, to
Brother Hare.
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