XXI. To Actual Settlers.
Reading edition
Our government has been very generous in making a law, giving to every man a homestead, upon the simple condition that he will settle upon it. To enjoy this he must be an actual settler. He may talk much of the beautiful West, how inviting it is; how independent people become who go West; how strong his desires are to go, and that he means to go; but unless he packs up and moves on, he will never get there; he will never know anything about the grandeur of possessing a home in the West.
God has provided a home in the land of Canaan, the land of perfect love for all actual settlers. Holiness is a blessed theme; many love to talk about it, and speculate about the fruit that grows in that fair clime, where the sun never goes down; “a land of corn, and wine, and oil, favored with God’s peculiar smile, with every blessing blest.” There are no obnoxious weeds, such as anger displayed in kicking back; no pride, as seen in the wearing of gold, and pearls, and costly attire; no gay churches, too grand for the poor.
No, blessed be God, in that land of perfect love all is pure; the fountain-head is holy. Every desire is unto the Lord. The stream of life is without mixture, full of health and life eternal. But as lovely as this land may be, to possess it we must move upon it, be actual settlers. When we purchase a farm and pay our money for the same, we receive a warrantee deed, made out correctly, signed by proper authorities, and sealed by the government seal. It is precisely so with those that settle down upon a homestead in the land of perfect love; their title is made as clear as ten thousand suns could make it. The Holy Ghost writes, ’Tis done, the great transaction is done; “thou art cleansed from all unrighteousness,” and this produces a sensation and the soul cries out, “Glory to God!” Then comes a very comfortable feeling, “I am washed in the blood of the Lamb.” “His Spirit beareth witness to this great truth, that we are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.” “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” A homestead or entire sanctification is one of the things that are freely given to us of God, and it is the office of the Holy Ghost to make us know that we have received it.