AMELIA A. STEBBINS by Amelia A. Stebbins

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 8, 1868

AMELIA A. STEBBINS

By Amelia A. Stebbins

From Sr. Stebbins.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have found sweet comfort and encouragement in reading the communications from those that love the Lord and his appearing. I have, of late, awaked, as it were, from a state of insensibility. Dark and threatening clouds gathered around me. Satan bound me that I could not come to the fountain of Life; and I came nigh losing my hope. But the Lord, through his tender mercy, saw fit to rescue me, and set me at liberty, for which I now feel greatly to rejoice. And since the Lord set me free, I have felt free, indeed. The blessing of the Lord has rested continually upon me, and I feel like one newly converted. I know the Adversary would rejoice if he could in any way keep me from giving my testimony for Jesus. But I am determined, the Lord strengthening me, that the remainder of my life shall be for Jesus. I want to be made willing to suffer for Jesus, that I can reign with him at last.

I feel that time is very short, perhaps much shorter than any of us realize. We are living in a solemn time, when we should all be awake, watching and praying. The Adversary is very wroth, casting his snares at every point. Oh! let us not slumber and sleep in this hour of temptation until it is too late. The Lord is pleading for us still. But soon, if we will not listen to his voice, we shall hear the words, “Too late,” “Depart from me.” Oh! what a dreadful thought. I often ask myself, Shall I be one of that number? God forbid. Let us be encouraged and renew our covenant with the Lord, for if faithful we soon shall receive the promised reward.

“Heir of the kingdom, Oh! why dost thou slumber? Why art thou sleeping so near thy blest home? Wake thee, arouse thee, and gird on thine armor, Speed, for the moments are hurrying on.”

I feel that I want to be converted anew every day, that I can have the evidence continually that I am accepted of Jesus. I want to be cleansed and purified, that I, too, may be one of the number that shall have the “seal of the living God” placed in my forehead. I want my daily walk and conversation to correspond with my profession, my every word and act to tell for Jesus, that I may be the means of doing some little good while I remain here, and that if I am called to suffer the scoffs and scorns of the world it may not be on my own account, but for Jesus’ sake who died for me and for all.

The little church here in Ulysses is advancing. We meet from Sabbath to Sabbath for prayer and conference meeting. Our members are few; but we have the evidence that the Lord is with us, and his blessing is given us in abundance. We feel that in union there is strength. I feel that I need the prayers of all God’s children, that I may ever have strength to overcome the temptations of the Adversary, keep in the narrow way, and finally have a right to the tree of life.

AMELIA A. STEBBINS

Potter Co., Pa.