Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 4, 1866

Extracts from Letters.

Sister S. Powers writes: When I say that God is love, and that Jesus Christ our Redeemer is full of tender mercies toward sinners, I speak from experience. I tried the vanities of worldly pleasures until I found that there was nothing good in them; and now I regret exceedingly that I lingered so long over the casket of the world, when in God's love the precious jewel was contained. Each day that pearl of great price grows brighter, and clearer, and more precious to my soul; and I feel that no earthly joys or cares can induce me to part with this my precious treasure, the love of God in my heart. Oh that I could tell to all the world God's goodness and tender mercies to me, a sinner. I would that all could be brought to a knowledge of their sins, that they might seek the Lord while he may be found. Our longest time on earth is short.

Sister Jane Stacy writes from Cass, Ohio: I am encouraged to go on in the present truth. This truth has done much for me. And especially do I feel indebted to the health reform. Most every spring I have been laid up with the rheumatism, and had a doctor's bill to pay. But I have quit my coffee, and tea, and pork; and I have had no doctor's bill to pay this spring. I was a slave to tea and pork. I felt that I must have my tea three times a day; and if I had good ham, I wanted that three times a day. But I have laid these aside, and mean from this time on, whether I eat or drink, to do it all to the glory of God. If we eat and drink things that injure our health, we do not glorify him. But let us strive to go on to perfection; for we shall reap if we faint not. He that endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved. We are living in a glorious time, the time when the last note of warning is sounding through the land, to prepare a people to stand on Mount Zion.

Sister H. I. Westcott writes from Logansville, Sauk Co., Wis.: I am not afraid to risk all I have on the success of the truth. I am much afflicted, but feel to put my trust in the Lord; for I do not believe he will forsake those who trust in him. My hopes are all centered on the success of the message. I believe we are living in the last days, and Satan is at work with great power. And when I see those who have been called from darkness into the marvelous light of the third angel's message, turn and fight against the truth, I tremble, knowing how weak and prone to wander we poor mortals are. Oh for a closer walk with God; and may he increase our faith, and give us strength to overcome. I feel to rejoice when I read the accounts in the Review that our messengers who have labored so hard for the spread of the gospel, are again regaining their health, and are able with the assisting grace of God to stand up boldly in defense of present truth. May God grant to be with them all, and may many honest souls flock around the standard of truth as the fruits of their labors. I believe the visions are of God from the fruit they bear, although I come short of living them out as I should. I yet hope to be a complete overcomer.

Sister F. Winchel writes from Cooleyville, Minn.: I am yet trying to stand for the truth without wavering, knowing that we shall reap in due time if we faint not. The testimonies of God's people have been a great help to me. When with poor health and many cares I am almost ready to sink in discouragement, their weekly visits seem to give me new strength to follow on, and a sweet hope that we may yet overcome all that would separate us from our Saviour. I greatly feel the need of Christian counsel in these times when trials and temptations are on every side. Our experience for some years past has been such as to lessen our faith in most medicines, and drive us to the Lord for help. There I have learned that even now the Lord will hear and answer the prayers of those who seek him with their whole heart. I love the Sabbath of the Lord. His people are my people wherever they are.

I desire an interest in the prayers that are being offered for the lonely ones, and trust that when we have done our duty, the Lord will put it into the hearts of some of the messengers of his truth to come this way and help us. I feel assured that the truth will prosper in this State.

Bro. A. Damon writes from Orwell, N. Y.: My mind is firmly fixed to serve the Lord, to enjoy present truth, to obey God in all his righteous requirements, to love and regard the brotherhood tenderly, to strive to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove, ever seeking and following that which is good. My portion in days gone by has been that of affliction and sore trials. Last October, I laid away in the grave a dearly loved companion, and that affliction did not come alone; but my trust is in the Lord, that out of them all he will deliver me. If we go through the furnace with patience, we shall come forth purified. We must remember while we are looking for eventful things to transpire, that through us the Lord is to accomplish his work. We must be made fit temples for his Spirit to dwell in. I mean to give more earnest heed to prayer. While I love to pray, I love to know also that God hears and answers me. Let us watch much, pray much, love the Lord fervently, and we shall meet ere long where we shall see each other's faces with joy and gladness.

Sister L. J. Shaw writes from Strykersville, N. Y.: Having just had my heart warmed by a refreshing season with the brethren and sisters at Lancaster, I feel called upon to express my joy at being permitted to unite my interest with them, feeling that I have their love, their prayers, and watchcare, and that in heart and mind we are one still. I feel very unworthy a name or place among them, but I mean to strive with all my heart to heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness, and seek meekness, and righteousness, and strive to be wholly engaged in the great preparation that will fit me for the coming of the Lord. I trust I am united by a living faith to the same Lord, believing the same truths, claiming the same promises, trusting the same most precious blood, and rejoicing in the same glorious prospect of living and reigning with Christ and all the redeemed. I feel a great responsibility resting upon me to live as a fit representative of the cause I profess, being ever ready to give a reason of the hope I have within me.

Bro. A. H. Cooper writes from Rockford, Minn.: Though separated from all of like faith, I mean to hold on my way, and go through to the kingdom. We miss the communion of saints; but, though separated from them in body, we are with them in spirit. We long for the rest that remains, and for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.