PHEBA A. FOSTER by PHEBA A. FOSTER

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1867

PHEBA A. FOSTER

By PHEBA A. FOSTER

From Sister Foster.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Having been a wanderer from the fold, and thinking perhaps it might encourage some backslider to return before it is forever too late, I will write a little of my experience. About three years ago, the truth found its way to our hearthstone, and I with my mother and sisters began to keep the Sabbath. I withstood the taunts and jeers that were thrown at me on every side by my companions and others, for about one year, when in an hour of weakness I relinquished the Sabbath, and was welcomed back to the circle of Sunday-keeping friends. When there, every influence was thrown around me to keep me from God. But they could not stifle the voice of conscience. I knew that I was doing wrong, and many times I would have gone to Jesus and asked forgiveness of my great sin but for the thought that I was unworthy of his love. At last I determined never to try to be a Christian again, but take the pleasures of this world while they lasted. Thus I went on adding sin to sin, until I had grown very thoughtless. But still I felt there were no pleasures in this world worth having; they always left an aching void behind.

In the winter of 1865, there was a revival in the Congregational church at our place, and I among others was awakened to a sense of my sinfulness. Then the question came, Why couldn't I serve God just as well if I kept Sunday as if I kept the Sabbath? I saw others that I thought did, and concluded that I could. But I have learned by bitter experience that the way of the transgressor is hard. Thus things went on. I became convinced that I could not serve God that way, and gave it up. Last fall, Bro. and sister Taylor were at our house, and through their influence my brothers embraced the Sabbath. Last spring, Bro. Whitney came to this place and held several meetings. At first I stayed away. I knew that I should hear the words of truth if I went. But I went the last two evenings, and the words I then heard made an impression on my mind which I could not forget. At last, after many sleepless nights and miserable weeks, I determined to keep the Sabbath. And although the first step was taken in the dark, yet I can say from my heart that never in all my life did I experience such true joy as when I felt that my sins were forgiven. My father commenced keeping the Sabbath before I did; and now we, a family of seven, are waiting for baptism next time a messenger comes this way. Bro. Cottrell was here last week, but the recent rains had raised the river so high that we concluded to wait a while longer. Now, my dear friends, whose eyes may chance to fall on these lines, I would say, If you have never sought Jesus with all your heart, now is the time, now the day of salvation. If you have wandered from the fold, return again, for you will find more true joy in serving the Lord that all this world can boast.

PHEBA A. FOSTER

In hope. Wash. Co., N. Y.