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that were granted to him; and for his sake, and for Christ’s sake, we
will learn from his death a lesson which we shall never forget. We will
let this bereavement make us more kind and gentle, more forbearing,
patient, and thoughtful toward the living.
I take up my lifework alone, in full confidence that my Redeemer
will be with me. We have only a little while to wage the warfare;
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then Christ will come, and this scene of conflict will close. Then our
last efforts will have been made to work with Christ, and advance
His kingdom. Some who have stood in the forefront of the battle,
zealously resisting incoming evil, fall at the post of duty; the living
gaze sorrowfully at the fallen heroes, but there is no time to cease
work. They must close up the ranks; seize the banner from the hand
palsied by death, and with renewed energy vindicate the truth and the
honor of Christ. As never before, resistance must be made against
sin—against the powers of darkness. The time demands energetic and
determined activity on the part of those who believe present truth. If
the time seems long to wait for our Deliverer to come; if, bowed by
affliction and worn with toil, we feel impatient to receive an honorable
release from the warfare, let us remember—and let the remembrance
check every murmur—that we are left on earth to encounter storms and
conflicts, to perfect Christian character, to become better acquainted
with God our Father, and Christ our Elder Brother, and to do work for
the Master in winning many souls to Christ. “They that be wise shall
shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
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