p. 307 | Untitled article by M. P. Stiles

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 29, 1867

From Sister Stiles.

By M. P. Stiles

Bro. Smith: I fear I have acted very selfishly in permitting my brethren and sisters to contribute so much to my edification without making an effort toward a return. We can all by the grace of God, through the paper so dear to us all, speak a few words of encouragement to our fellow travelers on this toilsome journey. God does not wish us to hold back for want of education or especial talent; for he says the wisdom of this world is foolishness with him. So I believe he will bless us in our feeble endeavors to lighten the burdens of the weary traveler.

I feel that there are so many who have got so far on their journey, and I have but just started, that I must strive to the utmost to get ready; for here it is the “eleventh hour” and my wardrobe is not yet prepared. I have not got on the wedding garment, and my lamp, if lit at all, I fear sheds a very feeble light. And all the rubbish at the door of my heart! Oh! to think that my blessed Saviour should stand until his locks are wet with the dews of night, waiting for me to clear it away that he may come in and sup with us and we with him.

But again here are all the hindrances of the flesh which need not be enumerated to the experienced. They all keep Jesus away and therefore keep us from overtaking those who are foremost in the ranks; for it is only in His strength we may ever hope to run the race successfully. Oh! may he help us to realize that we are in deep waters, and if we do not hasten to get loose from the clogs which bear us down, we shall sink amid the surging breakers never more to rise.

I bless God for his merciful kindness unto me, so much more than my deserts; and often am I led to exclaim in humble thankfulness, What am I, that he should be mindful of me? But I know the Man of Sorrows is my friend. For our comfort he gives us this blessed assurance, if our ways please him. And how bold it makes us in the things of this world. We go boldly forward, fearless of the enmity of the world, trusting in God and in the power of his might, feeling that if he is for us who can be against us.

There are a few of us here, my parents among the number, who are trying to live for Jesus. We are trying to exemplify the “patience of the saints.” We know the harvest here is ripe, and we pray the Lord of the harvest that it may not waste for want of laborers. We believe that God will soon move on the mind of some servant he wants to come here, and we wait in faith. I long to be buried with Christ in baptism and be able to partake of his broken body which was broken for me; but I want my husband, friends and neighbors to enjoy the blessing with me, and I believe I shall have them, for God has said through his servant, “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart.” I will therefore “rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him, and he will bring it to pass.” O blessed Master! how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

In bonds of Christian love. M. P. STILES. Kent Co., Mich.