Untitled article by Alice H. Barnes

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, November 19, 1867

From Sister Barnes.

By Alice H. Barnes

BRO. SMITH: I have thought some one might be encouraged by a few words from my pen, as my own heart has been while reading the testimonies of others in the Review. For nearly three years past I have been trying to be an overcomer. I love the true Sabbath of the Lord, and hail with delight its weekly return. Its holy hours of peaceful rest bring strength to heart and life. Most highly do I prize the sermons that come to me each week through the Review. They are twice precious to me on account of my entire deafness, and inability to hear the living preacher. How good the Lord is to give me so many helps. How ungrateful shall I be if I do not improve them, and try to live out the holy principles taught in the third angel’s message. Eternal life is offered me on condition of obedience. Shall I turn aside and feed on husks, or unhealthy food, and thus lose life, eternal life? I am invited to come and partake of the water of life freely. Shall I indulge my appetite with drink that is not for health, and thus fail to drink the sweet water of life?

Brethren and sisters, a great work is before us. Are we in our hearts saying, “My Lord delayeth his coming,” and thinking there is no danger of indulging a little longer in some sinful lust of the appetite or other evil propensities, and thereby endangering the hope of having our sins blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come? The enemy is trying all his arts to destroy us. Oh, that with energy, zeal, and perseverance,

we may take hold of these things, and overcome, that we may be found among those who are without fault before the throne of God.

Each week my heart is cheered with the news that comes from the different fields of labor, that souls are embracing the truth and taking their stand with the people of God. Truly the harvest is great, and the laborers are few. Let every lover of the Lord’s appearing earnestly pray that more laborers may be sent into the harvest.

I think much of the lonely ones who cannot meet with those of like precious faith. Your hearts are sad, and often weary, with longings for communion with the people of God. Look up! Lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.

“Soon the joyful news will come, Child, your Father calls, Come home.”

Home at last! will soon be the joyful cry of the weary and tired ones. Cheering thought! Blessed hope! No more pain nor suffering there. No more sin to mar our joy. We shall see Jesus, the dear Saviour who has died for us, and washed us from our sins in his own precious blood. Is not this worth living for, worth striving for? I have much to overcome; I sometimes think, more than any other Sabbath keeper. Yet I believe the promises of God are sure, and such a sinful and unworthy one as I may yet overcome, and have a home with the pure and blest.

Almost every Sabbath it is my sweet privilege to meet with the people of God. Though all to me is silence, yet as I sit there and watch the varied emotions that pass over the countenances of the brethren and sisters when they speak of their hopes and joys, I seem to catch the sweet influence, and my heart glows with gladness at the thought, that if faithful, I too may overcome, and stand with them on Mount Zion.

ALICE H. BARNES.

Bakersfield, Vt.