Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 27, 1866

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. Wm. Johnston writes from New Bloomfield, Pa.: The instruction I receive from the Advent Review, is truly precious to me. I sincerely pray that it will enable me to spread abroad more true light the few remaining days, than I have been able to do heretofore. I long to hear some of these Heaven-sent messegers, who proclaim the soon coming of the Son of man in power and great glory, to gather his dear children from the four winds of the earth, to reign with him in the kingdom of his glory. Yea, I not only long to hear some of his messengers, but I long to see the Prince of Life himself, come with his holy angels to change his living followers, and raise to life and immortality, the precious dust of his dear sleeping saints. My prayer is, Amen, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Sister E. Garraw writes from Mishawaka, Ind.: I should not know how to give up the paper; but it is not all the time since I have had it that I have cared so much about it. And if the notice to pay had come when my first year was up, I should not have done anything about it. But lately I have been reading considerable. We have books that we got at the tent meeting at South Bend, and never have read them until now; and I find that I am not competent to deny what they say about the fourth commandment. I am a member of the Christian church, and of course meet with opposition.

Sister E. A. Dike writes from Wellsville, N. Y.: How truly solemn is the time in which we are living. When I read in the different periodicals of the day, and in our own loved sheet, of the increase of sin, debauchery, and crime, I can but shudder, and I am led to exclaim, How necessary that the people of God have on the whole armor of righteousness, and have our loins girt about with truth, that we may be able to stand in the trying time which we may be sure is just before us. Almost every day we see signs fulfilling which portend the near coming of our blessed Redeemer, and my heart responds, Amen. Can we say from the heart that we love the appearing of the dear Saviour? Let us cut loose from this dark, cold world, and get in a watching, waiting condition, with our treasure in Heaven, our faces set Zionward, nor cast one lingering look behind; for what is this earth compared with the everlasting inheritance promised to the children of God? Oh, I long to be there, I long to enter the gates of Heaven, and partake of the rich, golden fruit that hangs on life's fair tree, and drink of the pure river that flows from beneath the throne, in the paradise of God; I long to get my feet planted upon the new earth, and dwell with Jesus and the angels there. Praise the Lord for his promises and for theinfluence of his Holy Spirit, which is ready ever to lead us in wisdom's way if we will but yield to its gentle influence.

Let us be in earnest, Christians, and make a whole sacrifice, and cast all at the feet of Jesus, and be determined, by the assisting grace of God, to have a seat at his right hand. Let us arise and be more engaged in this good work, and strive to put away every little sin, and loose every idol from our hearts, and worship only God; for in a very little way from this we shall see the heavens open and Jesus revealed coming in the clouds with all the holy angels, to redeem his faithful people. While I ponder upon this blessed hope, I feel to bless God that the time is so short.