p. 123 | Untitled article by Jennie Messersmith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, February 4, 1868

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 8

Conference Department.

By Jennie Messersmith

Exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Heb. x, 25.

This Department is designed to fill the same place in the paper that the Conference or Social Meeting does in the worship of God. Speak often one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience.

From Sister Messersmith.

Dear Brethren and Sisters: With a deep feeling of unworthiness, I attempt to pen a few lines for the Review. I have not made that progress in spiritual matters that I desire, nor that it has been my privilege; and I here wish to confess before God, and the dear people whom I believe he is calling out under the third angel’s message, preparatory to the great event just before us, that I may receive full pardon of all my sins, and be accepted again into the family of God. It has been my happy privilege to receive that assurance of his favor; but it was when I lived up to all the light I had; and as I continued not in the light, I have felt the frown of God upon my course, and doubts have arisen whether I ever could be an overcomer. But this is a fearful state to fall into, and I can not, nay, in the strength of God, will not, remain in it. I cannot say that I have ever doubted the position of the S. D. Advent people. That they are the true Israel of God, the seed of the woman, and remnant of the true church, the evidence to my mind is clear; and in thus believing I feel the greater condemnation, since my works have not been in accordance with my faith. But, like the son who refused to work in his father’s vineyard, but afterward repented and went, I feel like coming up to the work in earnest, that I may have part in the matter. When I reflect on the shortness of time, my own sinful nature, and the evil influences with which we have to contend, my heart would sink in utter despair of ever attaining to a life of righteousness, but the cheering thought, “My grace is sufficient,” cheers me on, and I have no time to ponder over what may be the hindrances of my entering the kingdom. Too long has God borne with my wayward course. I would now seek a reconciliation whilst he may be found, lest my heart be hardened through unbelief, and I fail of that rest that remaineth for the people of God.

Dear brethren and sisters, pray for me. I feel the need of your prayers to sustain me in my efforts to obtain that rest. I deeply mourn over my unfaithfulness in the cause of God, and feel now, more than ever before, the necessity of putting on the whole armor of God, that I may be able to stand and resist the attacks of the wily foe. It has not been my privilege to unite with any church of our faith, there being none in this part of the country, nor any who believed in the Advent faith until I came to reside here, nearly four years since, when one sister joined me in Sabbath-keeping, and lately two others, with a brother, mother, and two little nieces. We feel the need of a leader among us, but in the deprivation of such a privilege, we trust not to be slack in the performance of every good work, that we bring no dishonor upon the cause, and that others, beholding our steadfastness, may be convinced of the truth. If a minister could come this way, I think there would be an interest among the people to hear; but there are so many calls in the different fields that we can only wait and pray that God in his own good time may send laborers among us.

JENNIE MESSERSMITH.

Vernon Co., Wis., Jan. 17, 1868.