Encouragement in Trial by E. Macomber

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 13, 1866

Encouragement in Trial

By E. Macomber

From Bro. Macomber.

BRO. WHITE: I want to add my testimony on the side of truth and with God's chosen people. I feel to praise the Lord for his loving kindness and tender mercies toward us.

I feel strengthened in the inner man to know that the prayers of God's children are being heard and answered, while I hear of the success of the messengers east and west. I am satisfied when God commissions his angels to go forth to lead his people on, with his banner of love over them, and his almighty power made manifest with them, as it now is beginning to be, that victory will turn on Zion's side. I look a little in the distance and behold the church of God looking forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.

I desire to be found among that goodly number when the Lord shall come to escort his marshaled host to Mount Zion. I feel we have need of grace while we travel over this enchanted ground.

My heart was moved while reading your article on Forgiveness in No. 5, Vol. xxvii of the Review. It touched a chord that reverberated with unfeigned love to you, that I cannot express. I find that it is while the gold is in the crucible in the fire, it is being refined. And as it was with the three worthies, while in the fiery furnace that Nebuchadnezzar made, so it is now. Although a dreadful trial, the form of the fourth was there.

And while meditating upon your words I thought of myself. Have I not spoken harshly while being exercised with a zeal that was not according to knowledge? I fear I have. I pray you all my friends, forgive me for anything I may have done or said. My purpose is to do the will of my heavenly Master that I may have a part with him in his everlasting kingdom.

Long and unwearied have been my prayers for you and all the household of faith. And my mind has become settled that the great Head of the church will do all things well. I believe we are living in the sealing time spoken of in Rev. vii, 1-4.

May God speed on the glorious work is my humble prayer. And may we all meet where parting shall be no more, and where no one shall say, I am sick, and tears shall all be wiped away.

Yours in patient waiting. E. MACOMBER.

New Shoreham, R. I., Jan. 6, 1866.