A VICTORY WON by Nason Hoyt

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 26, 1867

A VICTORY WON.

By Nason Hoyt

HAVING been a slave to tobacco over forty years, and having often tried in vain to free myself from the chains which bound me, I became almost discouraged, thinking that I must die a slave. I had been convinced for a long time that tobacco was undermining my health, and consequently it was wrong to use it. I saw also that I must be cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.

My servitude continued more than eighteen months after I became a Seventh-day Adventist. Oh how I longed to be free from this bondage. About two years and a half ago, I made up my mind that with the help of God I could and would be free; I would not use the filthy weed any longer. I would not merely try to leave it off as formerly, but let it alone indeed and not taste it again. When I had firmly made up my mind as above, thank God the victory was won, and I was free. I have had but few temptations in that direction since. I mean now to fully live out the Health Reform and take every advance step with God’s remnant people.

I have been trying to serve the Lord for thirty-five years. I drank the bitter cup of disappointment in 1844, and have passed through many trials since. Sometimes when my children and other friends have been snatched away by death, I have almost felt to murmur and say, All these things are against me. But I can now look back and see that the hand of the Lord has led me all the way; and although trials thicken around, I can adopt the language of Caleb and Joshua in Num. xiv, 8, 9, “If the Lord delight in us,” &c.

NASON HOYT.

West Union, Iowa.