JOSHUA PHILBRICK by Joshua Philbrick

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 18, 1866

JOSHUA PHILBRICK

By Joshua Philbrick

From Bro. Philbrick.

BRO. WHITE: I have for some time past felt a desire to bear my testimony in favor of the cause of present truth, which I dearly love. Since the appointed fast, I have felt my heart and interest united with the Lord's dear people as never before. How precious was the evidence that God was hearing prayer, and that he would raise up his own chosen ones, who have borne the burden of the third angel's message with such untiring zeal. Oh, may the heavenly angels that excel in strength, deliver and shield the messengers from the attacks of Satan and his angels, is my prayer. I love the sweet spirit of the third message. How pure, elevating, heavenly. And oh, how condescending on the part of our kind heavenly Father, through the pleadings of his dear Son, to send us so many counsels, admonitions, warnings, and entreaties, as tokens of his love. Oh, the depth of his love toward his people! And I, the least and most unworthy of them all, have the greatest reason to praise him. And in view of the straight work that is before me, I cry out from the depth of my soul, Shall I be an overcomer, or shall I be overcome? And then in view of the Lord's great love, when I see and feel my utter inability and helplessness, in my own strength, to be an overcomer, I sink in view of his loving kindness! How willing he is that we should feel our need of him, and cast ourselves upon his atoning merits, and then believe he saves. Blessed be his dear name forever.

Oh, how sweet the thought, how blessed the confidence, that Jesus loves me. I often feel that I must praise him, though so unworthy.

Since I first read the book, "How to Live," I have felt an ardent love for the leading principle embraced in that work; and I firmly believe that a reform has begun, that will run parallel in the future with the truths we have received, until the great work will be accomplished, the servants of God be prepared to receive the "excellent glory," to endure the hour of temptation, and to share a blessed reward.

JOSHUA PHILBRICK

Washington, N. H.

Sister S. L. Crous writes from Appleton, Ohio: I feel encouraged to be faithful, since I attended the tent meeting at Bellville, and heard such excellent arguments and exhortations. It was food to my hungry soul. After hearing Bro. Loughborough's excellent discourse on the Saints' Inheritance, and the preparation that must be made in order that we may enter into the city, I felt like making a full consecration, and coming unto the Lord with a pure and fervent heart, and imploring of him that his Spirit might guide me into all truth, and help me to keep the commandments, that I might have a right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city. Every discourse seemed to me to grow better; and I felt such a wakening up as I never felt before. Bro. Lawrence, on baptism and practical religion, and Bro. Van Horn on the Gifts and other subjects, were all seemingly just what I needed to hear. The Holy Spirit rested upon the dear brethren, as they set before the people the unpopular truths of the Bible. Surely the Lord is with them. Yes, he is with them, and blessing his people everywhere. How encouraging are reports from the brethren in different parts of the field. I rejoice that the number is being made up, and every preparation is being made for the coming of our Lord. I rejoice in his holy name for his goodness and his mercies unto us, in that our ears have been saluted with the sound of the third angel's message, and our eyes have beheld the messengers of the Lord. We pray much for those dear brethren that labor in this State. We believe the Lord has sent them this way.