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The Fullness of Joy

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 17, 1869

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 34, No. 8.

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The Fullness of Joy

By NASON HOYT

From Bro. Hoyt.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: When I have read from time to time your cheering testimonies through the Conference Department of our paper, I have often been cheered, comforted, and strengthened, and wished that I were capable of saying something that would help some one else in the good way to Mount Zion. I am striving to be an overcomer, and to have a share with all the good and the blessed in the kingdom.
Our Saviour says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” That seems to imply that no others shall see him. I want, therefore, a pure heart, and must have it; a heart cleansed from all pride, and self, and sin. I want to have, Holiness to the Lord, inscribed on every act of my life. Our Saviour says, “Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John xvi, 24. This not only teaches us that we should grasp by faith the things we do need, but that there is a fullness of joy in reserve for us. Chap. xv, 11, reads: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” These texts teach us plainly that there is a fullness of joy in reserve for us; not a stinted allowance.
Then if God has provided a fullness of joy for us, it is his will that we should possess it, and if it is his will, it is our great privilege; and not only our privilege, but duty also.
We are not in a condition to do much in the cause of God unless we have the joy of his salvation; a fullness of joy. But with this blessing in our hearts we can do much for God and his cause. Dear brethren and sisters, will we let the enemy cheat us out of this great blessing, a fullness of joy? Oh! let us make an entire consecration to God of all we have and are. Let us say with the poet,
“Lord, in the strength of grace, With a glad heart and free, Myself, my residue of days, I consecrate to thee.”
From your unworthy brother,                 NASON HOYT. Fayette Co., Iowa.