The Cause in N. Y by Elias Goodwin

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

The Cause in N. Y.

By Elias Goodwin

DEAR BRN. AND SISTERS: I would say to the praise of God, that he has not yet left his people in Oswego County, nor spued them out of his mouth. But his mercy is still lingering over us, and seems to be saying to us, “Be zealous therefore and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock, &c.” Oh how great is the mercy and long suffering of God; that he still bears with us after remaining lukewarm so long; and yet is not willing that we should perish, but if we will only repent, and open the door, he will yet come to us, and will sup with us and we with him. Surely the mercy of God endures forever; let all his people say Amen, and give praise to his Holy name.

We have lately been favored with the faithful labors of Bro. N. Fuller, whose labors the Lord signally blessed at Roosevelt, and Oswego City, in rescuing some from the snare of the Devil who had in a measure been taken captive by him, and in comforting and encouraging the saints generally to take hold of the work of God anew, and make a greater effort than ever before to overcome.

Dear Brn. and Sisters in Oswego Co., let us not soon forget the faithful exhortations, and admonitions of our dear brother; but may we all give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip; for how shall we escape if we neglect this great salvation which is now offered us under this last message of mercy—the message of the “Amen, the faithful and true Witness” unto the church of the Laodiceans.

Bro. Fuller closed his labors in this city last evening, Wednesday Aug. 22, by preaching to a room full of our neighbors whom we invited in. Some seemed to be considerably interested in the words they heard spoken; and we feel somewhat encouraged to hope that some of them will take hold of the truth and be saved thereby, if we who already profess the truth in Oswego, only walk consistently and circumspectly before them. Oh! may God help me that I may so let my light shine before them that they may see my good works and glorify my Father which is in Heaven.

I think I do feel the importance, in a measure at least, of being whole-hearted in the cause and work of God. A few faint prayers, night and morning, will never gain us the victory. We must take more time in seeking the Lord,—make a greater effort than we have in the past; or, I fear we shall never overcome. Oh! let us make it the one great business of our lives to seek the Lord,—seek meekness, seek righteousness; if it may be we shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.

I would say that I am fully in union with the Health Reform in diet, &c., that is going on amongst the people of God. I fully believe it to be of God, and well calculated to help us to overcome our evil and corrupt passions and fit us to be translated at the coming of our Saviour. Unless we take hold of this reform heartily and live it out, I fear we shall not be able to get the victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Oh! may God grant us to be overcomers, by the word of our testimony, and the blood of the Lamb.

ELIAS GOODWIN.

Oswego, N. Y. Aug. 22, 1866.