Conference Department

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 9, 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.

Sister Beckwith, of Ohio, writes that the pastor of a Baptist church in her vicinity called at her house collecting for the Bible cause. He introduced the subject of religion. She told him she was a believer in the Advent doctrine, and showed him her books. He wanted to buy them; said he was well acquainted with Wm. Miller’s doctrine, and liked it very much, but knew nothing about the messages. His wife was an Adventist and his pulpit free to any of the Advent preachers. Should any of the preaching brethren or any brethren or sisters pass through Bedford, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, call on sister Beckwith. She thinks there is a good opening for a course of lectures in Cleveland.

Sister A. M. Preston writes from Ogle Co., Ill.: I am thankful that I have a place with the people of God though so far away that I cannot meet with them often. The sermons in my paper are most all the preaching I have, and they are a feast to me. I could hardly live without them. I am striving to overcome all my wrongs so that I may meet my dear Saviour and his children on Mt. Zion. Brethren and sisters let us be faithful a little longer. Let us not fall out by the way, nor be discouraged if we have trials; for they are to purify us. I trust we, the lonely ones, have your prayers, though unworthy.

Sister M. M. Sarchet, writes: I can look back on my past life and see where I have gained victory over some of my besetments. I have bid adieu to tea, coffee, and meats of all kinds, and am feeling much better in health. I want to be able to bid adieu to sin in every shape and form and be one of that tried and faithful company that have come up through much tribulation. I have many things to contend with, but am willing to battle on through this world of sin and sorrow, and say in all things, Thy will, O Lord, be done, if I can only gain an eternal inheritance with Christ and his saints.

Bro. M. H. Brown, of Minnesota, writes: I thank the Lord for present truth, the truths of the third angel’s message. How I love to see the commandments of God lived out. If we, as a people, could, or did, realize the responsibility that rests upon us, how careful should we walk. I fail many times, but I do not feel like giving up. I know that this life is soon to pass away, and I want eternal life. I am thankful for the Health Reform. It is what we want to fit us up for the time of trouble. The Lord is helping me to overcome. I believe the Lord will lead his people now as he did anciently, until they are sealed and able to stand without a mediator. By the grace of God I will be among the number.

Sister C. I. Pierce, of Iowa, writes: I am thankful to my heavenly Father for the preservation of my life. On account of poor health I have not been permitted to meet with the brethren at Pilot Grove, but once in four months. During this time the testimonies in the Review, from the brethren and sisters, have given me strength, and cheered me on in the good way. I praise the Lord for the health and dress reform. I am trying to live it out. How good is the Lord in being mindful of us poor, weak, imperfect beings, to give us information how to live so as to become strong. I am determined, the Lord being my helper, to live up to all the light, that I may be prepared to receive the “latter rain” when it shall come from the hand of the Lord. I want to live so as to be free from the blood of all, and have a clean white robe when Jesus comes. I desire to lead my dear children in such a way that they may be gathered as little lambs when the great Shepherd shall appear.

Sister C. H. Chaffee, of Indiana, writes: My heart’s desire and prayer to God is, that I may so run as to obtain the prize at the end of the race. I deeply mourn over my wanderings, my distance from God, and greatly desire to renew my covenant with my heavenly Father daily, and arise from this lukewarm state, and put on the whole armor of God, that I may resist the enemy, steadfast in the faith.

“Oh, for a faith that will not shrink, Though pressed by many a foe; That will not tremble on the brink Of poverty or woe. “That will not murmur or complain Beneath the chastening rod, But in the hour of grief or pain Can lean upon its God.”

As I am one of the lonely ones, I can well sympathize with such. I would say to them, Be not weary in well doing. God is not slack concerning his promises. If we do not receive the promises of God, it is because we do not comply with the conditions on which the promises are based. May the Lord help us to be faithful, that his word may abide in us and we in him, that we may ask largely at his hands, and receive as our circumstances require.