p. 298 | A Good Result by Bro. R. Town

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 4, 1867

A Good Result.

By Bro. R. Town

BRO. R. TOWN writes from Franklin Co., N. Y.: Some time ago I gave you notice at the Review Office that my paper had stopped, and that in consequence of two or three years' sickness I could not pay at present. Soon after I received the paper again with all the back numbers, which I esteem a great blessing to be conferred on an unworthy person like me. And it made me think of the time when the poor had the gospel preached to them, to find that there was a people in these last days doing likewise. But I felt somewhat embarrassed as I knew that my brethren in Ingham Co., Mich., had not forgotten that my wife and I were both lovers of tea and meat of all kinds, and that it would take only a small piece of meat to bring money enough to pay for the Review a year. I now want to say that I never used tobacco. Tea and coffee were laid aside when I left Mich.; and when I commenced taking the Review the last time, I laid aside all kinds of meat. My wife has done likewise, and we think our health is improving, although we were told that we could not work without meat. Had I seen my duty sooner I should have obeyed; for I can not regard it as Christian to knowingly indulge in an evil habit. God will not be mocked with our ceremonies, while our disobedient hearts are far from him. Half-way work will not do. God wants the whole heart.

I am a lonely pilgrim here, but my trust is in God, and I expect to wear the conqueror's crown in a short time. Many of my neighbors are already convinced of the truth of the Sabbath and the mortality of man. They say that there is no denying these truths. I don't know that they will ever break off their sins by obeying. I fear they will be among those who know their duty but do it not. I would not put my light under a bushel lest their blood be required at my hand.