Untitled article by M. E. Reynolds.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · July 23, 1867

A BLESSING ACKNOWLEDGED.

By M. E. Reynolds.

In looking over the back numbers of the Review a few days since, my eye fell upon an article from the pen of Eld. J. H. Waggoner, entitled “The Health Reform,” which forcibly reminded me of neglected duty,—neglected, not from ingratitude to God, but because of the many cares of life, and a sense of my inability to interest the readers of the Review. But as I re-read the article in which he says, “I know many, very many who have been blessed in this respect, who go their way like the nine lepers who were cleansed, while very few return like the stranger to give God the glory,” I felt that I had failed in duty in not publicly acknowledging the benefits of the Reform, and truly deserved to be classed among those compared to the lepers.

Few, very few, have greater reason to thank God for this Reform than myself, and, as I review the past and realize its benefits, I can say from a full heart “Bless God for the Health Reform.” Though not a confirmed invalid, yet for several years previous to receiving the light on this subject, I had suffered much with dyspepsia, which seemed to be fast undermining my constitution, inducing disease, and to all appearance hastening me to the grave. At times I suffered severely from distress in the stomach, which would cause a deathly sickness to extend throughout my entire system; and as these attacks became more frequent and severe, and nothing would prevent or relieve them, I could but expect they would finish my career ere long. But thank God, the light came. Shining dimly at first, and but imperfectly heeded until it became a part of present truth and I felt it was truly an important work, one in which every child of God must be thorough if they would be prepared for the perils of the last days, the time of trouble, and the coming of Jesus.

Pen would fail me in describing the benefit derived from a more thorough work in this branch of the Reform. Day by day physical suffering has diminished and health improved, until, though not as strong and healthy as I could wish, or even expect to be, yet I am comparatively healthy and feel no return of that intolerable disease, dyspepsia, unless induced by some violation of nature’s laws.

Many times in reviewing the past, the goodness of God in leading his people step by step, my heart has been made to rejoice, and I have felt that I could never falter or rebel against any duty marked out by infinite wisdom. How imperfectly did I understand my own heart. Truly did the prophet Jeremiah say, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Never did I so fully realize it as when the light came on the dress reform. This seemed more than I could bear, and my proud heart rebelled. By faith I looked forward to the end and beheld the overcomer’s prize, and then asked myself the question, Shall I go forward or stumble right here? I knew I could not enjoy the favor of the Lord if I did not live up to the light given, and must take this step if I would advance. The Lord gave strength and I chose obedience. When the decision was made I thought the conflict over, but not so. Satan unwilling to lose his victim was at hand, and while I busied myself in re-arranging my apparel, he was equally busy in trying to convince me that I must be deceived, and instead of doing God’s will I was led astray by the enemy of all righteousness. How cunning and artful is our enemy. I can only commit myself to the Lord and pray to be kept from his devices; for I feel that I have neither wisdom nor strength to withstand him. Praise the Lord for grace and strength given in this conflict. To his name be all the glory. In him will I trust. God’s ways are not our ways, but we know they are right. I pray for a submissive heart, one that can say “Thy will, not mine, be done.”

My short experience in the reform dress convinces me of its convenience and healthfulness; and while I feel that my pride has received a fatal blow, I can rejoice in the goodness of God in leading his people. How thankful ought we to be that the Lord in mercy condescends to notice such unworthy creatures as we are, gently leading us in the narrow way, granting us new light as fast as we gain strength to receive it, and patiently bearing with our wayward, rebellious spirits while, like the children of Israel, we go murmuring along. Dear sisters, scattered abroad, are any of you shrinking from duty, feeling that the cross is too heavy for you to bear? Let me encourage you to bear it in the name of the Lord, trusting in him who has said “My grace is sufficient for thee,” and may the Lord lead us until purified from all sin we shall stand on Mount Zion.

M. E. REYNOLDS.

Mesopotamia, Ohio, July, 1867.