Blessings of Health Reform
Sister N. D. Richmond writes from Windham Co., Vt.: Although my pathway thus far, since embracing the truths of the third angel’s message, has been marked with trials and afflictions, yet I can say to-day that I thank my heavenly Father for the trials. I have not had one too many. While they have had a tendency to lead me to search my heart and confess my wrongs, they have led me to look up to the great Source of strength for comfort and support. The Lord has given me an experience with his dear people, which I trust I shall never forget. The truths of the third angel’s message, all of them, never seemed so precious to me before. And I would say of the Health Reform, as I am trying to live it out in all its bearings, that I see new beauties in it almost every day. How good is the Lord to his people in giving us this130precious light as a defense to us through the time of trouble which is just before us. I would heartily unite with others, and say, “God bless the Health Reform.” It seems as though the Lord was about to work for his people in mighty power. I would say to the lonely and afflicted ones, Take courage, there is light ahead. And to those dear brethren and sisters who have for a long time been living up to all the light of this precious truth, there is everything to encourage and comfort your hearts. The captivity of God’s dear people is soon to be turned. His chosen Israel are soon to triumph over the great power of the enemy. The loud cry will soon be heard. We shall soon wear the crown and bear the palm of victory. “There we’ll meet all our loved ones in our Eden home,
Sweet songs of redemption we’ll sing.
From the North, from the South, all the ransomed shall come,
And worship our heavenly King.” Bro. D. Hugunin writes from Hamilton Co., Iowa: I praise the Lord for the light of the third angel’s message, and a disposition to heed the truth. I am trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The Review is my only preaching, and I love to read its cheering testimonies. I want an inheritance in the earth made new, with all the saints, where we can meet from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, to praise the Lord. I am firm in the faith that Jesus will soon come to take his ransomed children home. Let us be faithful, that when He who is our life shall appear, we can say, “Lo this is our God, and he will save us.” Sister A. O. Thompson writes from Rensselaer Falls, N. Y.: I often feel, when I am cheered by the testimonies through the Review, that I must respond and tell how good the Lord is to me. I have been trying for the last four months to live out the reform, and my health is improved so that it is better than it has been for years. But I never took a step that has caused more talk than living the reform. It is not from the world but from those that profess to look for the Lord. I feel like pressing my way on, let friends or foes unite against me. Bro. Whitney met with us two weeks ago, and spoke from the words, “Let your moderation be known; . . . for the Lord is at hand.” It was meat in due season. May the Lord bless all his waiting saints is my prayer. Bro. E. Macomber writes from Ashaway, R. I.: I do rejoice in the Lord and praise his adorable name for the manifold blessings bestowed upon his people, for the light that emanates from his Holy Word, and for the gifts of the Spirit which bring to light the encumbrances that are in the way of the speedy progress of the good work of the Lord. My prayer is that the refining work may go on, and that I may be led to see every obstacle removed that may be hanging about me that hinders my advancement in the spiritual race. Paul refers us to this matter in 1 Cor. ix, 24: “Know ye not that they which run in a race, run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain. Verse 25: And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Again, Paul says in verse 27: “But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, &c.” This I understand to be instruction in this day to me, and to all who expect a crown of life in the world to come. Then again he says, in 1 Cor. x: “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our fathers were under the cloud [which betokens the presence of God], and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. And did all drink the same spiritual drink. (For they drank of that spiritual Rock which followed them; and that Rock was Christ.) But with many of them God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.” Then he concludes this part of the lesson as found in the 11th and 12th verses: “Now all these things happened unto them for examples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Truly we are in the days of peril. I have thought that I had myself strongly fortified against the powers of darkness, but Satan finds now and then a weak place where he gets the advantage. I was in conversation not long since with a Seventh-day Baptist. He claimed that there were no Christians in this day. I told him I professed to be one and would like to have him show me wherein I was not; and if he could, I would refrain from the course at once. He replied, Christ did not joke in conversation. I felt somewhat condemned, and thought to myself, This weak place must be doubly fortified. Oh! for grace to help in this time of need. Bro. W. Caviness, jr., writes from Richmond, Iowa: Allow me to say that present truth is still dear to my heart, and that I am still trying to live it out. I love the Health Reform, and believe that it is in the order of Providence, that his people should live out its teachings at this present time, and thus prepare their bodies for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and for the latter rain which the Lord will soon pour out on his people. May the Lord help us to live out all the light shining on our pathway, and so be prepared to stand through all the perils of these last days, till Jesus comes. My prayer is that the Lord will bless all the means put forth for the advancement of his truth. Sister L. A. Bown writes from Gratiot Co., Mich.: I am a lonely one, but after reading the Review, I feel almost as if I had been to a good meeting. There are no Sabbath-keepers near me, except a daughter living over two miles away. Our nearest meeting is Ithaca, fourteen miles distant. But whether in the wilderness or in the city, in company or alone, we can praise God and thank him for his loving kindness. We have the promise of God, “Though our sins be as scarlet they shall be made white as snow.” That is all the hope I have, as I look over my past life. I am trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and hope at last to gain Mt. Zion. Bro. D. Upson writes from Genoa, N. Y.: I feel grateful to God that my ears have been saluted with the doctrine of the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I want to be found blameless at his coming. I am striving to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. I am trying to overcome, that I may with God’s people inherit all things. Trials and temptations are before us, but we have the promise that, if we seek the patience of the saints, Jesus will keep us in the hour of temptation that is coming on all the world to try them. I believe the Advent movement to be the work of God. The longer time lasts the greater will be the guilt of those who abuse the mercies of God and reject the last invitation of the gospel, and the more glorious will be the triumph of the righteous. Bro. J. Dorcas writes from Tipton, Iowa: As it respects my experience and prospects, I can say in truth, that, after carefully considering the matter, no desire is more prominent in my mind, than to be better, to be good in the sense of scripture; in other words, to be sanctified soul, body, and spirit. Yet I must acknowledge it is a conflict—a great work. I believe the Lord will bring his people out of Egypt, and over the Red Sea. Sister S. A. Snyder writes from Dallas, Pa.: The sermons written out for the Review by our faithful brethren, are to me, as well as others, meat in due season. They are specially comforting to the lonely ones; and I hope they will be continued weekly. I am praying the Lord of the harvest to raise up more laborers for his vineyard. I think great good could be accomplished here, if a preacher could be spared to come here. I am happy to say that I have now one child who has decided to keep the Sabbath with me.