He Leads Us On by A. M. A. Cornell

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

He Leads Us On.

By A. M. A. Cornell

"O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jer. x, 23.

THIS language has often recurred to my mind in connection with the manner in which I, with many others, have been led to see and embrace the present truth. Truly it was by a way that we knew not. Many times in reviewing the past we have felt to exclaim, It is the Lord's doings. It certainly was not the way we should have chosen for ourselves. We should never have looked for light from such a source. It seemed so unlikely that the despised little company of Advent Sabbath-keepers should be right in their views of Bible truth. But we were led, (oh how mysteriously) to hear before judging; and to hear was to believe, and believing, we must obey. We felt that the message was a compelling one, and oh, how blessed we found it to yield obedience to God's holy law! It was not a yoke of bondage, but a delight. Having love to God it was not hard to keep his commandments.

Do we have to give up our friends and worldly prospects? love will sweeten all our sacrifices: and the reward at the end of our pilgrimage will amply repay for all we may endure for Jesus' sake.

With the assurance that the Lord is leading us, we can joyously submit to his guiding hand, and with childlike confidence move on in the humble, self-denying

pathway that is sure to end in peace and rest at last.

"He leads us on, By paths we did not know. Upward he leads us, though our steps be slow Though oft we faint and falter on the way, Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day;— Yet when the clouds are gone We know He leads us on.

"He leads us on Through the unquiet years; Past all our dream-lands, hopes, and doubts and fears He guides our steps. Through all the tangled maze Of sin, of sorrow, and o'er clouded days We know His will is done, And still He leads us on.

"And He at last, After the weary strife,— After the restless fever we call life,— After the dreariness, the aching pain,— The wayward struggles which have proved in vain, After all our toils are past,— Will give us rest at last." A. M. A. CORNELL. Norridgewock, Me.