A Widow Embraces the Sabbath
By James White
Bro. White: It is the Holy Sabbath, but as there are no Sabbath-keepers in the vicinity, of course I am obliged to spend my Sabbath at home, with no services except the family altar, which has not been torn down although the leader of it has been lying on Virginia soil a year the 4th of this month. He truly died at his post. He was not a Sabbath-keeper, neither was I, until his absence. I then turned to reading to divert my thoughts from the "absent one." I found a pamphlet, an exposition of Daniel ii, vii, viii, ix; also 2300 days and the sanctuary. It seemed to me very forcible, clear, and interesting. I then read the law of God, by J. H. Waggoner, but not until the scales had been partially removed from my eyes, through the instrumentality of Bro. Stryker, a veteran of the cross of my beloved Master. Our conversation was concerning the Sabbath, which I had thought but little about, supposing it to be but a Jewish day, having been taught that Sunday was the Sabbath of the Lord. I read also a book on the Sabbath, pamphlets which had been unread in our house a number of years, sent us by brother-in-law Santee, according to the flesh, but now Bro. Santee as regards the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. In reading, I carefully compared each passage quoted from the Bible with the Holy Book, and was satisfied. I then commenced keeping the Sabbath, although I had never heard a sermon concerning it, but was soon favored with a series of sermons delivered by J. W. Raymond, of Wheeler Centre, as I was then in the State of New York. His words enlightened me much. In the meantime my dear husband was killed in a battle near Berryville, Virginia. Bro. Raymond preached a consoling sermon from 2 Sam. xiv: "For we must needs die; and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person; yet doth he devise means that his banished be not expelled from him." My husband's relatives in Illinois invited me West, thinking I could maintain my family better here than in New York; so trusting in God, I came; not however until I had been baptized and united with the church, of which Bro. Raymond was the Elder. I never had the privilege of attending a meeting of the Adventist church but twice; once before, and once after my baptism; but I can truly say they were seasons never to be forgotten on account of the presence of God with us. How my heart is drawn to that little church in Wheeler Centre; though few in number, they are mighty in God's strength. I have no privileges of the church here, and none of like precious faith, but I am trying to keep all the commandments and the faith of Jesus. I am poor as concerns this world's goods, but may I not be rich toward God! Truly I hunger and thirst after true riches. I have a little house in Tremont, Ill., but my family, consisting of four, myself and three children, the eldest ten, a boy, and two little girls, one eight, the other five, are depending on my exertion, except the $8,00 per month allowed me by the Government. If you can afford me that excellent paper, the Review, a year for the amount I send, ($1,00,) please send it as soon as you get this, as I have no reading corresponding with my views except the Bible and some pamphlets. My address is Tremont, Tazewell Co., Ill.
JANE COAL.