MARY E. JOSSELYN by Mary E. Josselyn

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 25, 1868

MARY E. JOSSELYN

By Mary E. Josselyn

From Sister Josselyn.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I am truly thankful that the Lord has given me a heart willing to turn from error and embrace truth. It is nearly two years since I became convinced that the seventh day was the Sabbath of the Lord. Praise be to his name. When I was willing to obey, he led me in a way I knew not; and although I have passed through some severe trials, my embracing these truths causing near and dear ones to withdraw their love and friendship from me, yet I am glad I can say to-day, Jesus is my friend, and I find his grace sufficient for all my trials, whenever I am willing to be led by him.

Yesterday, the Sabbath, a minister of the M. E. Church, who was stopping at my mother's (with whom I am living), commenced reading the Review containing that excellent sermon on Prayer. After perusing it awhile, he commenced questioning me by asking how long the Review had been published, &c. Thought there were a number of good pieces in it, but said he could not agree with us on points of doctrine

such as the Sabbath, sleep of the dead, destruction of the wicked, and a belief in visions.

He said the nominal churches are keeping the original seventh-day Sabbath; that it was changed when the children of Israel left Egypt, and then changed back again at the resurrection of our Saviour. He claimed that a part of the punishment of the wicked would be their banishment from God, but the remainder of their punishment he did not explain. He did not believe in the hell-fire once preached by our Methodist ministers. He also expressed a willingness to read our publications. My prayer to God is, that he will help such as are honest in heart to investigate the truths of the third angel's message.

But two short years ago I stood where many are now standing in the M. E. Church, so prejudiced that I had no desire to hear what I then supposed to be error; but bless the Lord, he applied the eye-salve to my eyes and I began to see. Yet as I search my heart from day to day, I find I have much to overcome, but I believe the blood of Jesus is able to cleanse us from all sin. With you dear brethren and sisters, I want eternal life. Pray for me, that I may be faithful and strive to live out all the precious truths of this message.

Yours, striving for the victory.

MARY E. JOSSELYN

Oranoco Co., Minn.