p. 11 | Untitled article by ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · December 17, 1867

From Sister Edmunds.

By ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: This morning, while reading “A few Thoughts” from the pen of M. J. Cottrell, in Review No. 23, tear after tear would fall, and I, too, asked myself the question, Shall I ever wear the crown? Shall I ever be clothed with righteousness? I heartily respond, Amen, to every thought. My heart is stirred to its very depths, and I can say, I will humble myself before God, and cry for a deeper work of grace in my heart. Oh! the enemy’s power is so great.

The next letter is an “Acknowledgment” from Bro. James E. White. I am glad this dear youth has again turned his feet into the straight and narrow path. Oh! that the remaining ones of the “fifteen” would do likewise. There is bread enough in your Father’s house and to spare. I say, return, and confess your faults. While reading the lines from him, I feel a conviction in my own heart, that I do not keep the fifth commandment as I should. The wish of my heart is, that I may know myself as God sees me. I want to keep every command. “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Oh! how I long to be good. I want to be ready to share in the “refreshing” Bro. Smith speaks of. I must make haste or I shall be left out. Sometimes I am almost discouraged. Many years I have been trying. When these feelings creep into my heart, I read the Holy Bible and find many precious promises there. “Submit yourselves therefore to God.” “Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” If I cleanse my hands, and purify my heart; if I am not double-minded, wishing to serve God and mammon, but mourn and weep over my sins; if my laughter is turned to mourning, and my joy to heaviness; if I speak not evil of others, but humble myself in the sight of the Lord, “he shall lift me up.” “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” “My grace is sufficient for you.” Yes, I can overcome all, with the Spirit of our Heavenly Father to assist me. One writer has said, “Never can the child of God rest contented in this world.” From day to day I feel this, and earnestly pray that I may be prepared for a home where “I shall be satisfied.” I will not murmur and complain when I am tested. There will be none in Paradise restored, who cannot resist the temptations of our subtle foe here. Our Father wants loyal subjects. How just, after having given his only Son to redeem us. Yes, he that declares the end from the beginning, deals with his wayward children wisely. Let us look up, and with confidence trust in him, for he doeth all things well. Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Oh! may we not be guilty of “selfish choosing this or that,” but may we ever choose the fear of the Lord, and with Bro. Patten may we “lay aside every wrong thing, and have the ‘present truth’ more deeply planted in our hearts.” Then with joy we shall hear the song sung, “Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.” How it cheers us to visit with those who love to talk about the truth. These meetings are bright oases—fertile spots in the desert of life. When those shining gates swing back on their glittering hinges; when that righteous nation enters the city of our God, then we shall, if faithful, enjoy this happy privilege forever. Oh! who would give up the Christian’s hope when such joy awaits the overcomer. Dear friends, pray that I, too, may finally wear

“A crown of glory bright, In yonder realms of light, Prepared for you and me.”

ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS.

Redford, Mich.