p. 47 | Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 9, 1866

Extracts from Letters.

Sister M. Starkweather writes from Port Allegany, Pa.: My interest is still with those that are keeping the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. I am striving to live the life of a Christian. I am alone in this place, no one of like faith living near. I am often persecuted, but not discouraged; for all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall have persecutions. Oh what are all our sufferings here compared with what Jesus has suffered for us. Let us go on a little longer with patience, and our sufferings will be over, and Jesus will come to redeem us from this sinful world. When I think of the joys to come I long to go to that better land, to walk the golden streets in the New Jerusalem, and wear the crown of bright glory that fadeth not away.

Bro. A. Wattles, sen., writes from Grand Haven, Mich.: According to the natural course of things, my stay in this world must be short, as I have now reached my eighty-third year; but I praise God for the blessed hope, which is sure and steadfast, entering into that within the vail. I hope with Job to behold my Redeemer for myself and not another. I have been a firm believer in the doctrine of our Saviour's personal, second and near appearing since 1843. Heard on the Sabbath question at the tent-meeting in Memphis, Mich., and soon became satisfied from searching the Scriptures on the subject, that the seventh day was the Sabbath of the Lord and ought to be strictly observed. I thank God that I have found, or rather been found by a people of like precious faith.

Bro. N. H. Berry writes from Farmington, N. H., and speaks of a discourse recently delivered in that place against the Sabbath, by a Mr. Varney, which only strengthened the Sabbath-keepers in their position, as the speaker confounded the ceremonial law with the ten commandments. Sabbath-keepers generally, we are happy to say are too much enlightened, to be in the least touched by a person who is so blind as to see no distinction between the ceremonial law and moral law of ten commandments. The writer further says: "There are at this time ten of us here, who believe that the ten commandments are binding on God's people, and who are trying to get ready for the coming of Christ. We are poor in this world's goods; but we want to be rich in faith. We want some messenger to come this way and set forth the other side of the question, and hold up the truth."