The Growth of Truth in Tuscola
By S. A. Doud
Bro. White: I have a desire to tell you, and the brethren and sisters abroad, what the Lord is doing for me, and those who have received the third angel's message in Tuscola county. "He has wrought gloriously!" The first day of July, 1865, in Vassar, six testified their determination to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. I was one of the six. Now what a change! Last Sabbath (April 25) there was an assembly at Tuscola village, of one hundred or more commandment-keepers. As I looked about and heard the many testimonies, I was constrained to say with the Psalmist, "The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul; and the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes." I could but exclaim with John, "How great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty." When the commandments came to me, I felt as did Paul, Rom. vii, 9, "Sin revived and I died." Yes the law slew me, and where was I? (Where I fear many more are who transgress the law of God, and love and make a lie,) in the Methodist church. When my husband commenced to keep the whole law with me, the minister was exceeding wroth, called us very unchristian names, and offered in public to pay every one that would leave, the sum of five dollars. When one of the brethren came for our decision, we decided to leave the society, but demanded the money. Alas he (the minister) was a man of words but not of deeds, for the money has not come. We were turned out of that body because we thought the whole law was holy, and just, and good. Since that time I have been striving to overcome, and have found it no light task, but hope by the assisting grace of God to come off conqueror, and finally receive the overcomer's reward. My faith and love for the truth grows stronger every day. Was much strengthened by listening to a discussion held at Watrousville, between Bro. Canright and Eld Russell, (a Methodist) upon the Sabbath question. Of that discussion, I cannot express my mind better than by referring to the hymn found on p. 437 of our book, especially the last four lines which read: "Then give me my Bible and let me obey it,
Instead of the statutes and doctrines of men;
Aside for a moment, forbid I should lay it,
To listen and argue for dogmas again." Yours, in love of the truth.
S. A. Doud.
Vassar, Mich., Apr. 25, 1866.