B. G. ALLEN by B. G. Allen

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 5, 1868

B. G. ALLEN

By B. G. Allen

From Sister Allen.

BRO. SMITH: I feel to express my gratitude to the Lord, and also to the dear brethren and sisters, for the rich feast I find in the Review. Its truths are more and more interesting.

I am, by the help of the Good Shepherd, feasting on Bible truths day and night. While toiling hard, and pressed with care, my mind is in “green pastures; and beside still waters.” But the time is too short for feasting. These books and papers must be circulated; for I have proved this message to be the voice of the True Shepherd. “His sheep will know his voice and follow him.” I am glad that this voice of the third angel’s message ever came to me. I made haste to tell my brethren and sisters that I was going to keep the Lord’s Sabbath. I told my mind in class-meeting from time to time, and lent my papers and books. I expected they would love to read, and would heed the warnings; but in that I have been disappointed. Sometimes I have thought I was casting pearls before swine, and giving that which is holy unto the dogs. Sometimes I have been wounded. Sometimes while talking with some of my old brethren and sisters, they would seem to me both blind and deaf. I am alone, but I am not discouraged. The Lord being my helper, I shall never go back to keep the first day for the Sabbath. And not only do I want to keep the Sabbath, but do the will of the Lord entire, if possible. I desire the prayers of the brethren and sisters, for me, that I may have wisdom and patience, and cautiously hold on, and recommend the reading of the S. D. A. books and papers. The wise man says, “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they shall both be alike good.” Eccl. xi, 6. So I will take courage, and watch and pray, and keep sowing the books and papers. The Lord hath said by the mouth of the prophet Isaiah, lv, 11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

“‘Twas by an order from the Lord, The ancient prophets spoke his word. His Spirit did their tongues inspire, And warmed their hearts with heavenly fire. “The works and wonders which they wrought, Confirmed the messages they brought; The prophet’s pen succeeds his breath, To save the holy words from death. “Let the false raptures of the mind, Be lost, and vanish in the wind; Here I can fix my hope secure; This is thy word, and must endure. “O then my soul, in every strait, To the Almighty come and wait; Who sees and every sigh does hear, And he will answer all true prayer.”

B. G. ALLEN

Newport Co., R. I.