Lonely Ones, Take Courage by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 3, 1866

Lonely Ones, Take Courage.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

MANY among us are alone in their families or neighborhoods, in keeping the Sabbath. In a family, perhaps the wife keeps the Sabbath while the husband and children oppose; or the husband keeps it and the rest oppose; or a child keeps it, and the parents oppose, &c. Those who keep the Sabbath, of course are very anxious that the other members of the family should see and embrace the truth. At first they are generally full of faith and zeal, thinking that their friends must see the truth as clearly, and embrace it as willingly, as they did. To this end they pray for them, talk to them, and read to them. In most cases they are sadly disappointed. Their friends "can't see it," and they are frequently turned off with, "Oh pshaw, it's all nonsense; and you will give it up yourself in less than three months." This sometimes tries their faith and patience severely. Frequently the opposing members are very bitter against the truth; will not go to hear it preached, will not even read a paper or tract, get angry when the subject is even mentioned, and try to hinder those from keeping the Sabbath who wish to. As weeks and months and years pass by thus, the lonely Sabbath-keeper becomes almost discouraged, and ready to give up.

Now it is for the encouragement of these that I write what I have seen and experienced. For an example, I know a brother who began to keep the Sabbath all alone. His wife and five children all opposed him, and were very bitter against the truth. They would not listen to a word, nor read a tract in its favor. But he held on to the truth without wavering; he prayed for them, and laid books in their way. At the end of one year they chanced to hear a few sermons. This made them a little more favorable. In a little while the wife embraced the Sabbath. In the course of another year two of the children embraced it. Five years passed by, and then two more came in; and now the last one is soundly converted to the truth.

Here is a good sister, who has kept the Sabbath five years alone, her husband opposing her all the while. He would not look at a book, nor a paper. He was full of arguments against the truth, and seemed to go further and further from it every day. Her faith for him was nearly exhausted, when all at once the Spirit of God got hold of his heart, and he yielded the battle, and is now rejoicing in the truth. He now says that when he was opposing the Sabbath the hardest, he often felt convicted that he was doing wrong. He would read the papers and books, when he could do it without being seen. For five long years that faithful wife prayed for him; but it seemed as though God did not hear. Yet every prayer was heard and remembered in Heaven. Doubtless angels were sent to watch over that man, and to press the truth upon his mind. At last he had to yield, and thus her prayers were answered.

I remember being grieved and hurt, several years ago, by the jesting and ridiculing of my young friends, when talking to them about the truth. It seemed to me then, that there was no hope of their embracing it; but now they are rejoicing in it, as well as I.

Scores of other examples might be given, to show that it is of no use to be discouraged, however discouraging things may appear. The Lord often works when we least expect it. Hence to the lonely ones we say, Be of good courage, live out the truth, and trust in God. But do not be over-zealous in the matter. Many are long hindered from embracing the truth, and some driven from it entirely, by the misconduct of their friends who are anxious to convert them to the truth. Because they do not immediately

embrace your views, do not therefore conclude that they are dishonest, and give them to understand that you think them hypocrites. Reason with them as though you believed that they would gladly receive the truth, if they could only be persuaded what it was. Do not take particular pains to disturb them on Sunday. It only irritates them, without doing any good. Be as conciliatory as you can, without compromising the truth; but be firm as a rock, and do not yield a hair's breadth of the truth, for any consideration. Some have done what their own sense of right and truth told them not to do, thinking thereby to gain the good will of their friends, and thus the more easily bring them to the truth. But it always has directly the contrary effect. Their friends only despise them for it, and take it as an evidence that they are about ready to give it up themselves. So we say, Be firm, and live out the truth scrupulously, if you wish your friends to embrace it. Oh! the solemn, the awful responsibility that rests upon that person in the family, who professes to know, and be living the truth, while the others do not. They watch you with a critical eye, in your conversation, in your actions, in the prayers you make, or neglect to make, in the spirit you manifest, &c. In a great degree, their salvation depends upon your actions, their souls will be required at your hands. Not carelessly did Jesus say, "Ye are the salt of the earth," and, "Ye are the light of the world." Then that one in the family who knows the truth, is the light of the house. From you must the rest get their light. If you improve this opportunity for good, it is a glorious privilege to you, and a great blessing to your friends. Let us then not be weary in well doing, for we shall reap in due season, if we faint not. The trial of our faith may be long, but it will not fail of reward, if we hold on to the arm of God, and live out the truth.

D. M. Canright.