Conference Department

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1867

Conference Department.

Exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Heb. x. 25.

This Department is designed to fill the same place in the paper that the Conference or Social Meeting does in the worship of God. Speak often one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience.

Bro. E. Kincaid writes from Butler Center, Iowa: I am made to rejoice from week to week by reading the cheering testimonies in the Review. In hope of likewise benefiting some one I would also add my testimony. Myself and a portion of my family are striving to keep all God's commandments. We have none of like faith here to cheer us on, yet we mean to be prepared for the second coming of our blessed Saviour. When the saints are redeemed from the earth we want to be among the number.

Sister R. Ashald writes from Columbia Co., N. Y.: I have never heard a sermon from any of like precious faith; but I have had the Review, which has brought me by the help of God into the present truth. How cheering have been the reports of debates, the sermons, and the testimonies of the dear saints. I had long wanted to see the dream of William Miller, and when it appeared in the paper I felt to thank the Lord, and took courage. If no larger than the point of a pin, as he represents, if I am gathered into the sweet fold of Christ it will be in his likeness, and my longing soul will be satisfied. This earth is not my home. I have been trying to seek a home in Heaven for sixty years. I am now seventy-two, and can say truly, that “through tribulation deep, the way to glory is;” but I can say in the language of Paul, “Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory.” I feel determined by his grace to strive to press my way through to the kingdom. I hope no one will stagger at God's promises through unbelief.

My prayer is that we may have on our banners, Holiness to the Lord, and be prepared to meet Jesus at his coming, which I believe is near. If I cannot have the company of believers here, I hope we shall meet where parting will be no more, and where no one will have to say, I am alone.

Bro. L. Bartholomew writes from Olmstead Co., Minn.: I felt reproved by a late article in the Review on sleeping in meeting, and wish to tell the Brn. and sisters how I have been afflicted in this way, and the remedy I have found. Sleep has had almost absolute power over me. I would get to sleep sometimes walking along the road, and wake by falling into the ditch, or going against the fence. I would get asleep at work, chopping or sawing wood. Let me sit still a few moments and no musical instrument could keep me awake. I would get to sleep eating my breakfast, dinner or supper; and worst of all, it was hard for me to attend family worship without going to sleep.

To-day how different. I can sit down and write or read, or do any labor without inconvenience in this respect. And now if you wish to know what has made the difference I think I can tell you. I used to work very hard, only taking from four to seven hours rest out of the twenty-four, eating plenty of pork and other flesh, and condiments, sweet cake, pies, &c. Under such abuse nature had to give way. But when the light on the Health Reform came, I commenced to follow the light, and I soon felt a change. I now make it my rule to eat no flesh of any kind, sugar only sparingly, no butter nor milk, use cream moderately, no leavened bread either coarse or fine, but live on that kind of food that is advocated in the Review and Reformer. I eat but two meals a day; I can eat my first meal at 5½ A. M., second at 1 P. M., and feel no want for food at any other time. I am fully convinced from my past experience that a person can do more work, and harder work, and live longer and feel better on a vegetable, grain and fruit diet, and two meals a day, than with any other mode of living.

I have once before acknowledged what the Reform had done for me; but it is still doing a great and good work. My will is stronger to-day than ever to continue to live it out and know what it is to have a healthy body and a sound mind, which I do believe can be brought about by strictly obeying nature's laws. There is consistency in sitting down to a table spread with food twice a day, and asking the Giver to bless it to our use and us to his glory, but oh! how it looks to me now to sit down to a table spread with dead flesh, poison tea and coffee, and hear God's blessing sought upon it. Brn. and sisters, let us arise, and cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Sister E. J. Hunter writes from Boone Co., Ill.: We are still trying to keep all the commandments, and are trying to keep pace with the message; but have to lament many heart wanderings from God. I get too cold and indifferent; am many times too much given to light and trifling talk. My prayer is that God may grant me wisdom from on high, to overcome all my sins, and bring up my children in such a way as shall be well pleasing in his sight.

The Health Reform I believe is of God, and that it is a part of the third message. I hope to be able after harvest to pay for as much as one share in the Institute. The paper is all the preaching we have. Its sermons are to us meat in due season.

Cannot some of the preaching brethren come this way? I have heard but one gospel sermon for over two years. But my prayer is, should we never hear another, that we may prove true to our trust, and meet all of God's people in his kingdom.

Bro. E. Styles writes from North Liberty, Ind.: It is a great privilege as well as duty to encourage each other in the way to Mount Zion. I can say that I love the present truth; but in reviewing the past I find I have not valued the truth above every thing else. First the kingdom of God, says the Saviour, and his righteousness; but oh! how oft we get our eyes fixed on the earthly crown. I begin to see that there is no time to tarry here. Let us awake and repent. The Lord says that if we will draw nigh to him, he will draw nigh to us. Oh! that there was always a heart in us to believe what the Lord hath said.