Untitled article by Wm. W. Field.

Untitled article

Wm. W. Field.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, March 3, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 12

From Mrs. Field.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I am happy to say at this time, that I am still rejoicing in hope of eternal life when Jesus comes. God is merciful to me, and I am striving to form a character that will be faultless when the Saviour comes. It has pleased God in his providence to call many of us out, one from a family, and when we see the suffering of our friends on account of our faith, and that we cannot run to the same extreme with them in the pleasures of this world, we are led to cry out in the bitterness of our souls. All these things are against us. But when we consider the reward of the faithful, the inheritance, the near relation we sustain in the family of Jesus, the smiles of angels, and the approbation of God, it is enough.

“We’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,\n\nSupported by thy word.”

And as God in his goodness has proposed to help us, through the health reform, that we may better comprehend the truth and his goodness and mercy, by abstaining from sorrowful practices by eating food that was given to man in the beginning, and by wearing modest apparel, because of the separation from the world that these denials make, we are led again to cry out, All these things are against us.

But when we realize the sacrifice that Jesus made for us; that we have no abiding city here, that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow in his footsteps, it is enough; we’ll bear the toil; and as God has called us to virtue and honesty, while we behold the prosperity of the wicked, that there are no restraints, their eyes stand out with fatness, they increase in riches, they are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued, we are inclined to be envious; but as a safeguard to this let us keep the truth bright before our eyes,—the destiny of the wicked, the reward of the righteous, the saints’ inheritance—and we will not be envious at their prosperity and will realize that by the wise design of the Almighty, riches are withheld from us many times. What our hands find to do let us do, but let our affections be on the heavenly treasure.

I would also say that our Monthly Meetings are abundantly blessed of the Lord, that every evidence of approval is given for the effort that the brethren make in gathering together.

WM. W. FIELD.\n\nIowa, Feb. 6, 1866.