Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 13, 1866

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. C. W. Brooks writes from Huron Co., Ohio: I still am trying to make my way through, and I hope to be found in the great day with God's dear children. While all is turmoil and strife here, I thank God that his dear children can look to Christ, and find peace. Sometimes I am told that this “is a white man's government;” but I can look up to Heaven, and see a government free to all the children of the Lord. How true is that saying, “My kingdom is not of this world;” for I never heard one member of Christ's kingdom say to another, You are not a subject.

Bro. D. B. Welch writes from Alleghany Co., N. Y.: I am still trying to overcome by keeping the commandments, and to be found ready and watching when the Lord comes. Myself and wife are the only Sabbath-keepers in this place. There are some here who believe it should be kept instead of the first day; but they are not enjoying religion, and do not keep it. There is quite an interest to hear the truth, and some have expressed a wish that I would get some one to come here who could present it to them. I think if a preacher could spend a little time here much good might be done.

Sister M. L. Maxon writes: My heart is filled with thankfulness to see the onward march of present truth. How triumphantly, how gloriously, God is leading on his people to certain victory. The last link in the chain of revealed truth is now being fastened, and the faithful few are trying to obey God's physical, as well as moral laws. My heart swells with gratitude to see how heartily they are moving forward in the health reform. Soon it may be said of them as of ancient Israel, “And there was not one feeble person among their tribes.” I feel sweet union with the third angel's message.

Sister A. J. Goodrich writes from Hartland, Me.: For the first time I take my pen in hand to address the brethren and sisters through the columns of the Review. Two years ago last Spring, I had the privilege of having Bro. and sister Cornell come to visit us, and also heard him lecture. We saw that we were not keeping the right Sabbath, therefore we embraced the truth, and now we can welcome with joy the Lord's Sabbath, the seventh day, when it comes. I can say to-day that I am glad that I ever was led to see the truth and embrace it.

The work of reform is going on with me, and my prayer is that God will give me grace that I may be an overcomer at last. There are a few in this place who are striving for the kingdom. Last Thursday night we had a blessed meeting. Bro. Stratton gave us a sermon on order in the church, and home religion. May the Lord help us to have true vital piety at home, and then when we go out into the world our influence will tell on the side of truth and Christianity.

Bro. and sister W. Hoff write from Marion, Iowa: As we have lived in Iowa during a part of the rebellion, we feel to thank the Lord that he has inclined our hearts to hold on to the truth, and not be led away by the enemy. As for us, we feel to thank the Lord for the gifts that he has placed in the church for our edification and comfort. We love the Testimonies. We see nothing evil in them. Their teachings are all good; and if we will heed them they will make us better. They will make us more zealous. We realize that we are living in the last days. Our prayer to God is that we may be prepared to meet Jesus in peace when he comes in the clouds of heaven.

Bro. E. Styles writes from North Liberty, Ind.: There are yet a few here who love the third message, and we are receiving some light on the health reform. We have just had a visit from Bro. Bates, and we trust one of profit. Our hearts were made glad while listening to the expositions of Bro. B. on the health question, and other subjects. We want to be ready when Jesus comes. We had waited so long for a messenger, that we had become considerably discouraged; but now we can say we have had another feast from the Master's table. We hope in the future to see better days.

Sister M. Bean writes from Stowe, Vt.: I praise the Lord for the way in which he is leading his people. I rejoice in the health reform. It looks consistent that it should go with the last message. I may not derive so much benefit from it, as I am aged and infirm, as I should have done, if I had only known how to live, years in the past. Yet I can say that I am better for trying to live as set forth in the health-reform system. I have an aunt 86 years old. She has not eaten any meat, nor drank a cup of tea for about thirty-two years. She is generally free from pain, her mind clear and happy in a Saviour's love. It may be said of her that she is an Israelite indeed. My feelings are, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my Redeemer.”

Sister A. J. Edmunds writes from Ann Arbor, Mich.: Paul says, “Follow after charity and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” 1 Cor. xiv, 1. Do we love the testimonies as we should? When we are reproved by them for having some pet idol, do we willingly lay that idol aside, “and desire spiritual gifts?” I fear that we as a church do not “covet earnestly the best gifts,” but, like doubting Thomas, suffer unbelief to creep in when we should feel the most thankful. Nearly three years ago, the light in regard to the health reform was published. We read volume four when we were in a lukewarm state and thought we were rich and increased with goods, having need of nothing, and know not that we were wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Let us be zealous and repent, before God shall spew us out of his mouth. If we still neglect to heed the light that has been given, the wrath of God will come upon us as it did upon the children of Israel. The last plagues will soon be poured out. Who can stand? Only those that are pure. This reform is a part of the third message. We have a knowledge of the truth, and if we would have all the Christian graces, we must add to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience.

The angel said, “Here is the patience of the saints. Here are they that keep the commandments of God.” We must be a temperate, before we can be a patient, people. You know how impatient and nervous you feel when you have been without your accustomed rich food and cup of tea. I fear you do not speak and eat like Jesus, our lovely pattern, when you come home with that severe headache. Throw away tea, coffee, tobacco, and meat, eat but two meals during the day, drink but little while eating, never eat in the evening, and in a few weeks you will not have that headache. You will be surprised at the change you will observe in your little home. The angel will say of that household circle, Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep God's commandments.

Once my health was very poor, but since I have been trying to live as a person should live, it has been good. What I once loved I now hate, and what I now love I once hated. Brethren and sisters, let us set about this work of reforming with zeal, determined to help ourselves, then our heavenly Father will hear our prayers, and give us strength to overcome the sin which doth so easily beset. Jesus is soon coming, get ready, get ready. Sign after sign is fulfilling. When we shall see these things come to pass, know that he is near, even at the doors. While the learned men of our day are trying to find a scientific reason for the occurring of the signs, and by so doing are lulling the world to sleep, we should be awake lest that day come upon us unawares.

Our deliverance is near. Happy thought! Soon, a poor, despised, remnant people, who have been obeying the whole truth of the third message, will find a home in a better world, where sickness and sorrow are never known.

Sister E. Eaton writes from Whitewater, Wis.: I love the truth of the third message, and also the light that is being given on the health reform; and I mean to live it out. I welcome anything that will draw me nearer to my God. I rejoice when I see the evidences of the fulfillment of the prophecy of the two-horned beast. I feel that we are nearing home. But am I prepared for all this? No, I am vile yet, and should be discouraged if it was not for the precious promises of God. To those who are alone I would say, Let us not murmur, but bear every trial cheerfully, believing that we need it all to fit us for the kingdom to come, and to wean us from this vain world, and place our affections on things above. My desire is to overcome. I long to see Jesus, and the thought of seeing him soon is a joyful one to me.

Bro. A. B. Williams writes from Clinton, Wis.: I am glad to learn that our excellent paper is to be enlarged. I think I can well afford three dollars a year for it. So much good reading is cheap for only one bushel and a half of wheat, or three of corn, or one and a half day's work for mechanics. Who that is able to work can complain of the price? No lover of truth.

Bro. W. Worters writes from Livingston Co., Mich.: The Review is all the religious friend I have here; but, though alone, I am trying to live a Christian life. I have been keeping the Sabbath for about six years and a half, in the midst of opposition on every side; but thus far the Lord has kept me; and, by his assisting grace, I am determined to prove true to him to the end.