p. 75, para. 1 | Untitled article by J. D. Hull

Untitled article

J. D. Hull

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 14, 1868

Bro. J. D. Hull writes from Henry, Ill.: I have long desired to speak through the Review and tell a little of my experience, trials and determinations, and the goodness of God to me. While reading in Testimony No. 13 that but a small portion of those who believe the truth will be sanctified through it, and be saved, my mind was carried back a few years in the past, when every member of my father's family, of which eight are now living, could rejoice together in keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. But alas! only two or three at most remain steadfast. Some have gone into infidelity and Spiritualism, while the rest are now taking an active part in the Iowa defection. And it has been with no small struggle that I have gained the victory in battling the dark influence of the latter. Inducements have been held out, and various plans devised to prejudice my mind against the proceedings of S. D. Adventists. Letters have been written to me that visions had been had about me that I could never be saved, and that the Lord would come before 1868, and now, contrary to this vision, they were putting it off still further in the future, &c. These are a part of the many like plans that Satan has used to try to overthrow me. But these things only strengthen my faith in the glorious truths that I love. We are down in the sifting time; and it will only be through earnest, agonizing prayer, and entire consecration to the will of God, that we can escape the old serpent's beguiling influence. May each of us set a double watch over our own hearts and ask ourselves the question concerning the clause in Testimony No. 13, referred to above. Is it I? Truly it is I, either to be forever lost or to be eternally saved. Then let us strive for salvation. It may be we may gain eternal life; and we can no more than lose it if we strive for it.