PREFACE

TO THE LITTLE FLOCK

*The following words of Jesus, are becoming daily more and more precious to his living saints; viz: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” This promise is now about to be realized; therefore this little flock, now alive on the earth, according to the teachings of Jesus, the holy prophets, and apostles, are to be distinctly known by the peculiar traits in their life and character; viz: “Zealous of good works.” “Follow after righteousness.” “A people in whose heart is God’s law.” And, “keep the Testimony of Jesus’”. For having these distinctive marks, “they are set at naught by the world.” “Thrust at,” “pushed,” and “scattered abroad” by “the shepherds,” that they once confided in. “They are men wondered at;” “they are for signs, and wonders in Israel.” The time has now emphatically arrived in their history to mark and number them for the kingdom. Yes; one more distinctive and peculiar mark, by which they will be known, not for a few years here only, but forever, even forever and ever; throughout the boundless ages of eternity, is this. They are now being sealed in their foreheads with “A seal of the living God.” Even “a hundred forty-four thousand, of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”SLG 1.1

To this people, and all who do not yet bear these distinctive marks, but are perfectly willing to share, and bear reproach with them, I respectfully dedicate the following pages with earnest, and continued prayers to God, through Jesus our great high priest “in the house of God”, that you may by the light of his word and leadings of the holy spirit, be enabled clearly, to see your present position; and walk on in all the straight truths of the living God! We may embrace all the truths of God, but if we fail in the present truth, we shall be found “guilty of all.” “The Commandments of God and the Faith, or Testimony of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12, is without the shadow of a doubt the present truth. This is that which brings us into the sealing with “a seal of the living God”; the receiving of which will bear us through the time of trouble, and forever turn our captivity at the voice of the Almighty God.SLG 1.2

J. Bates.SLG 1.3

Fairhaven, Mass., Jan. 1849.**SLG 1.4