Untitled article by Samantha L. Crous

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, November 5, 1867

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 21

From Sister Crous.

By Samantha L. Crous

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: The importance of purity has long rested with deep weight on my mind. My thoughts are directed to James iv, 8: Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners; and purify your hearts ye double-minded. In the first place we are exhorted to cleanse our hands, and next to purify our hearts. How necessary then to search our hearts to see whether they are pure or not. But how are we to know this? We must search the word of God, and compare ourselves with it, and see if our hearts are in harmony with it.

Let us see if we have purified our souls “in obeying the truth unto unfeigned love for the brethren.” Do we “love one another with pure hearts fervently?” Let us ask ourselves the question, Do we love God with all our hearts and our neighbor as ourselves? Do we love to be looking “for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.” Will the Lord purify us unto himself for a peculiar people if we do not help in the purifying process? Are we not exhorted to purify ourselves? The apostle speaking in regard to those whom the Lord said he would receive as sons and daughters, says, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Let us cleanse ourselves. This shows that we have a part to act in this work. We must lay aside everything that would defile our bodies or becloud our minds. Not until I have become pure and holy in the sight of the Lord shall I desire the coming of that Just and Holy One. The apostle has said, “And unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” We do not show that faith in looking for him that we profess, unless we are zealous unto all good works. The Saviour has said, “I know thy works.” By our works we are known, and by our works we are to be judged. We are commanded to let our light shine, that others seeing our good works, “may glorify our Father which is in Heaven.” If our good works will cause others to glorify God, how careful we should be that all our works and words are according to the will of God.

I thank his holy name that he has caused me to feel the importance of a pure heart. I will, by the help of God, endeavor to cleanse myself that the Spirit of the Lord may dwell in my heart, and that I may be led into all truth. SAMANTHA L. CROUS. Licking Co., Ohio.

SISTER M. M. BROWN writes from Kennebec Co., Maine: We would be very glad to have any of the brethren and sisters visit us. We are very lonely. There are no Sabbath-keepers near us, and I cannot go any distance to meeting. It is nine years since I was at an Advent meeting. We should be glad to have some of the preachers visit Litchfield Corners. We think they might do good. We live sixteen miles from Topsham, and about sixteen miles from Augusta. We feel very thankful for the Review, which we receive free.

BRO. R. I. LADLEE writes from Whiteside Co., Ill. I love the truth more than ever, and want to be one of those who will be purified and cleansed from all their sins, that when Jesus comes I may go with him to the glorious home which he has prepared for them. I would honor God by keeping all his commandments, and love Jesus who died on the cross for me, to wash away my sins with his precious blood. I would live a pure and holy life here so that I may be prepared for those things that are coming on the earth. Oh! for greater attainments in holy living as we pass down to the close of time! May we make our calling and election sure before it is too late. Now is the time to arouse from our sleep, put on the helmet of salvation, and prepare for what is coming. Let us be more united. Let us stand firm in the cause of God. I praise the Lord for the truth.

BRO. D. A. SMITH writes from Wal. Co., Wis.: I am happy to hear of your recent good meeting at Battle Creek. I hope the Lord will continue the good work, and that it may spread far and wide. I feel that I need a deeper work of grace in my own soul. For this I am daily striving. May the Lord bless his remnant people with a general outpouring of his Holy Spirit, and the spread of the third angel's message, is my prayer.