March 15, 1902.
... During my late visits along the Western Coast, I have been seeking chiefly to “strengthen the things that remain.” Here and there I have found encouragement in the way of some young people announced as desiring to break bread. Restoring grace has also been manifested, and little tokens of the Lord’s gracious working in different places all along the journey. Yet one feels it is a day of small things, no outward show of much doing. Indeed it is largely a question of “holding fast,” though wherever there is devotedness to the Lord, with a holy and separate walk, the Lord owns it and gives the open door. If there is what answers to Christ as the “holy” and the “true,” — He who has the key will give the open door, which no man can shut; and I believe this will continue to the end. There may be no parade, no show, no sounding of trumpets; but the Lord will own the faithfulness of those who keep His word and deny not His name. But we must not forget that He is the Holy One and the True. Holiness and truth are the marks of those who answer to the character in which He presents Himself to Philadelphia.
May we covet the conformity to Him which ensures the open door, cleaving to the Lord with purpose of heart, and walking with Him as Enoch did of old, who walked with God 300 years. Such is our only means of safety.
We must not close our eyes to the fact that all is rapidly moving on toward the final apostasy, and only the power of God can keep us from the blinding influences connected with the general movement. I see a tremendous power of Satan leading along many lines toward the same goal — apostasy: Higher Criticism, Christian Science, Spiritism, Theosophy, “Millennial Dawn,” Christadelphianism, Seventh Day Adventism, and much else. Many once with us are on the same road. One can speak of it only with shame and sorrow.
The great truths brought afresh to light in the last century are fast being given up, and the darkness which is taking the place of the light is being gloried in. This is deeply humbling and sorrowful. But can we shut our eyes to the fact? Among those who have not “held fast” what they once had and enjoyed, there no longer seems one able to raise the feeblest protest against the false teaching they say they do not accept. Oh, how sad! And it is our common shame that such a state has come in — “neither cold nor hot.” The Lord give us to cleave to Himself, so as not to be found sleeping when He comes. Surely the end is near.
It is a comfort to know Christ loves the Church, and is able to provide all needed ministry, even in the darkest days. He loves all His own, and will not fail in anything they need.... My wife and son have had smallpox during my absence, but are well again through mercy, God turning the trial into a blessing, as He always does.
With much love in the Lord,
Yours affectionately in Him,