An Admonition which George Friesen Sent from Prison

I proclaim to you, O men, one and all, a new message and good news, through the Word of the Lord, which is this: that you are to turn from your sinful life to God, so that your sins may be forgiven; cleanse your hearts, and forsake the world and its false show to which it gives so beautiful an appearance.

Behold, I proclaim to you much joy, which I experience, as Christ the Son of God promised, saying: "I will not leave you comfortless." Those who trust in me, I will help them bear their sorrow, and will deliver them out of all distress. For He Himself bound up our putrefying wounds, and healed them, which no one else could do. Luke 10, verse 34. He healed us without merit on our part; while we were still enemies, He washed us with clean water, and sent us the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, as the faithful, gracious Savior Christ promised, who will bring to our remembrance all that we have heard. Romans 5, verse 10; Ezekiel 36, verse 25; John 14, verse 16. If we firmly abide in Him, and bring forth good fruits, He will give us a mouth and wisdom, as His divine Word says, if we diligently live according to His will; indeed, He will give us such a mouth that none of the wise of this world, who are still in sin and fall short of the truth, will be able to contradict us. Luke 21, verse 15.

I daily find that, as the raging waves of the sea, driven by fierce winds, cast up their mire and dirt, and cannot rest, so it is also with these; if there were anything good in them, it would come to light. Isaiah 57, verse 20. Now, even as the flowers of the field drop off, so it goes with those who consider too late; for the grass withers, and the flower fades; but the Word of God abides forever. Isaiah 40, verse 8.

I find still another matter which concerns me greatly, namely, that so many will knock and say: "Lord, open to us, and let us enter in also; to whom the Lord will say: I do not know you;" and it will do them no good to say: "Did we not believe that you are the true God, and that he whom you anoint, and whom the Jews mocked, is your Child?" Luke 13, verse 25. If they persist in their evil deeds, anguish will come upon them, so that they will cry woe, woe, upon all the priests of Baal who have deceived them here, and who now sit in Moses' seat, persecute Christ, and honor Baal, saying: "Do according to our words, and not according to our works; by which they show that they do not walk rightly." Matthew 23, verse 2. O generation of vipers, who has made you believe that you will escape the wrath of God and the damnation of hell? Can the Lord not say to them, "If you were so wise as to know me, why then did you not seek me by following the kingdom of my Father? Therefore, depart from me, all you hypocrites, to the devil and his angels, into the lake of fire, and eternal damnation." Matthew 7, verse 23. But you, brothers and sisters, who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19, verse 9), make yourselves sincerely ready in these latter times for the marriage supper; and do not let yourselves be deprived of the food that is set before you, lest you perish with hunger; cling firmly to Jesus Christ; see that you do not lose those things which you have worked for; and let no one lead you astray on this earth, and do not be afraid of the princes of this world; for when they appear before the face of Christ, they will all be put to shame. Second John, verse 8; Matthew 24, verse 4; Matthew 10, verse 28.

Turn yourselves now to the Lord, for now is the right time; and do not let the world confound you, lest you be deceived. Watch, you that are on the ocean, lest you perish; believe in the Lord with all your heart, and you will weather the tempest. May the King of kings, to whom all things are known, uphold us with His mighty hand, so that for no adversity we may depart from Him, but may faithfully hold to His Word even to death. With this I will gladly give up my life at this time, and enter this narrow way through Christ; by His help I will gladly bear His yoke, and in this yoke alone pull my plow. O God, that I might be so fortunate as to see the work begun in me brought to such a happy end, to the salvation of my soul and to Your glory, and this solely through Your power! Richer or more highly exalted as a mortal I could not become! I would praise and magnify You for it through Christ Your Son. Dear brothers and sisters, I have written this in my severe imprisonment, and give it to you as an admonition: I, George Friesen, have composed this in the night, while others slept; I hope that daylight will soon shine brightly. O Lord, that You would speedily come to me in prison, deliver me from my chains, and free me from my bonds, and protect me from the wicked. O then I should stand well before You! My brothers and sisters, if you would rejoice in the spirit, and in this understand me thoroughly, then beware of sin, and you will see clearly. And if you would spiritually understand the divine law, go to the Lord, and He will help you in it.