A Convert’s Testimony on Present Truth
By GEO. PARKER
BRO. SMITH: Your article in No. 18, entitled “A Word to Beginners,” recalls to my mind much that is now past. Seven months ago, I heard a good sister give her testimony for “God’s Law” and the keeping of his “Holy Sabbath.” Upon investigation, I found myself in a great strait. I must love, honor and obey it according to the fourth commandment, or part with the love I had for God’s Word. Soon after, I had, by God’s blessing, an opportunity to hear preaching on the subjects of the “Sanctuary,” “The Seal of the Living God,” and other truths, by Bro. Sanborn. I shall not try to describe my feelings when I heard this dear Bro. proclaim these great truths. It was the first time I had ever heard them. I am trying to live out the truth, and make it the subject of my meditations. How vividly the article referred to, recalled to my mind my position during the first few weeks after I heard the message. In regard to the “Testimonies,” I must say I had a prejudice against them. But God’s Spirit was striving with me. In this state of feeling, which you can better imagine than I can describe, I began to investigate their truthfulness in the love and fear of God. By the aid of his Spirit in the study of his Word, I was convinced that “Spiritual Gifts” were contained among the promises to his remnant people. I did not enter upon this subject with as much zeal as I did the other subjects, until I got Snook and Brinkerhoff’s book, The Visions not of God. With no reliance upon self, but in prayer relying upon God to direct and guide me by his wisdom in the way of truth, the visions were read, and I could not find any portion of them that was antagonistic to Bible truth. Anxious to set my mind at rest upon the subject, I supposed the book of S. and B. would soon cite me to some solid refutation; but I saw that its spirit was that of the enemy, and that the servants of him by whom it was inspired, had gone too far in their anxiety to destroy the truth of the Testimonies. They, in their short-sighted warfare against truth, stamped their own publication, not only with misconstruction of the plain language of the Testimonies, but also with open transgression of the law of God. In looking back and contemplating my condition, I am filled with love for God, who has so mercifully led me out of darkness, and into paths I had not known, and delivered me from the arts and devices of the enemy. And I hope ever to praise his name, and honor his cause. My prayer is that all may heed the warning given in the article referred to, in No. 18. Investigate prayerfully. Love God’s law. Rely not upon self, but upon the wisdom of God, and the love and mercy of his dear Son; and let us not neglect the light upon the various reforms into which God is leading his remnant people. Dear brethren and sisters, whoever and wherever you are, do not prove unfaithful to the Testimonies which have brought out such light upon present truth. I ask the prayers of all the faithful that I may always be found humble and doing the will of my Saviour. Chicago, Ill.
GEO. PARKER.