Obeying the Truth Under Difficulties

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 4, 1915

Obeying the Truth Under Difficulties

FROM AN ISOLATED MEMBER

[The following letter from one of our isolated Sabbath keepers, a devout sister living in a remote region far separated from those of like precious faith, tells of the trying experiences under which she is endeavoring to live out her conviction of duty. In her own home for many years she has suffered great opposition, amounting almost to persecution. Her experiences represent the experiences through which others of our devout members are passing. Let us pray God to bless this sister and give her strength and wisdom to meet the trying situation in her home. And let us remember also the scores of other lonely ones, who, in the midst of unbelief and opposition, far separated from those of like precious faith, are endeavoring to answer the call of God in obedience to his message for this day.—Ed.]

THE blessed third angel’s message was brought to me more than five years ago by a dear, humble canvasser. It was late in August, after a summer of the most trying experiences through which I had ever passed. Precious experiences they were, though fiery; for by them I was prepared to receive with joy the heaven-sent message.

When the canvasser came to my home selling “Christ’s Object Lessons,” she found me in need of help and sympathy. I was much impressed with her sweet, humble spirit and her faith in God’s precious promises. After looking through the book, I was anxious to buy it, but hesitated on account of my husband, who had gone to the mountains for a rest, admonishing me to be very careful in spending the little sum of money he had left with me. But I finally decided that I needed spiritual food as much as any other, and bought the book. After an hour or so of conversation, mostly on

the subject of God’s care for his children and the mission of suffering, the canvasser rose to go. When I asked her to what denomination she belonged, her answer was, “I am a Seventh-day Adventist.”

I knew nothing of this people except that they observe Saturday. When I asked why the Adventists keep Saturday instead of Sunday, she said, “Because it is the original day that God set aside and made holy, commanding man to keep it.” I invited her to come again, and she left, promising to see me again soon. After her departure my thoughts ran something like this: Suppose the Adventists are right in keeping Saturday, should I be willing to obey if the light came to me?—O, yes; but I am sure Sunday must be the right day to keep holy, for there would not be so many deceived. I tried to dismiss the subject from my mind, but it would not leave me. Over and over again these words came to me: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. . . . The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God,” until I became so concerned about settling this question that I sat down with my Bible and looked up every reference I could find pertaining to the Sabbath. I was surprised to find so much said regarding its sacredness, and the many promises to those who keep it holy. After this investigation the question uppermost in my mind was, Who changed the Sabbath?

The following Saturday, while I was busily engaged in preparing for Sunday, there came a knock at my door; and when I answered it, I was delighted to see the canvasser waiting for me to invite her in. Almost the first thing I said was, “Can you tell me who changed the Sabbath to Sunday?” We sat down with our Bibles and spent the rest of the day studying the subject, and before the sun set I was convinced that Sunday is not the Lord’s holy day, as I had believed, and promised that by his help I would never keep another.

I invited the canvasser to spend the next week with me for the purpose of studying God’s Word with her. She came, and O, the precious hidden truths that were revealed to my hungry soul! We kept the following Sabbath together at my home, and I verily believe that it was the happiest day of my life. The Bible had become a new book. Life had changed from darkness to brightness and hope. My soul was thrilled with the thought of a soon-coming Saviour, and I wished for my dear husband to come home and hear the glad tidings.

Two weeks elapsed before his return. In the meantime I took a severe cold, which my overtaxed system could not resist, and I was compelled to take to my bed. Before I was able to be up, my husband came home, and found me being tenderly cared for by an Adventist sister. I was surprised and hurt by the coldness of his greeting to this dear friend. I had not written him of the new light which had come to me, preferring to tell him face to face. However, he heard of it before reaching home, and came in an unhappy frame of mind. He was kind to me, however, and did not mention the subject.

For several days I refrained from speaking to him of the things so dear to me, and prayed continually for wisdom to present the subject at the right time and in the right way. One evening when we were alone, I told my husband that since he went away I had studied the Sabbath question, and found that Sunday was not the true Sabbath of the Lord, and asked if he would investigate with me and see for himself. He remained strangely silent for a while, and then said, in substance, “If you are going to take up with such foolishness, we shall have to separate.” For a few moments I felt almost stunned; then I said, kindly but firmly, that nothing could keep me from living up to God-given light. From that hour until the present time—over five years—he has fought the truth.

Often when my poor husband is indulging in cutting speeches, there comes the sweetest peace and assurance to my soul. Frequently comforting passages of Scripture come to me almost like a voice. I praise the Lord for every point of truth contained in the third angel’s message, especially for the principles of health reform and what they have done for me. Before coming into the truth I was in poor health, not able to do half the work for four children. Now I am comparatively strong, and do nearly all my housework and sewing, with six children.

A little more than three years ago we moved from the city to a small country village, fifty miles distant, where I could have no church privileges and no association with those of like precious faith. By God’s grace and help I am trying to hold up the banner of Christ in this wicked village. There are only about twenty-five families in the whole valley, yet two saloons are flourishing. By conducting a little Sunday school, scattering the printed page, visiting the needy, and trying to live a righteous life, I hope to win some precious souls for Jesus, including my dear husband, who would be a valuable worker if converted to Christ.