A GOOD SABBATH by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 31, 1868

A GOOD SABBATH.

By James White

MARCH 21 was a good Sabbath at our home, and with the few who assembled at our house of worship. The leading subject in the meeting, in which all took part, was gratitude and thanksgiving to God. We had been passing through deep affliction, and were being relieved enough to prize freedom from great anxiety and distress. Then could we better prize the sustaining, prospering, blessing hand of God.

Our beloved Bro. King had been dangerously injured, but now seemed out of danger. Each day we saw him mending, while all his symptoms appeared favorable. He was cheerful, quite free from pain, comfortable and happy. In fact, it seemed that although we brought him to our house wounded, and covered with blood, yet his coming had brought a blessing to our house. He seemed patient, thankful and happy, and why should not our very hearts overflow with love and gratitude to God?

As I write, Bro. King sleeps sweetly beside me. He has walked out upon the stoop, and up to our spacious, unfinished chamber, newly arranged for our sleeping apartment. He sits up half of the day, and will be able, if the weather is pleasant, to ride out in a day or two. Well, we felt that we could praise the Lord that this dear brother was being raised up.

And, again, Bro. Dr. Lay was with us from Battle Creek, and seemed to enjoy our little, humble, social meeting very much. I had telegraphed to him to come and see Bro. Thomas Wilson, who was very sick with Erysipelas. Bro. Lay gave us a good testimony, and seemed refreshed and cheered. He reported Bro. Wilson improving, which relieved us all. In consequence of storm, bad roads, and care for the afflicted, we had passed two Sabbaths without a meeting, and although our members were few, the season was precious. In the afternoon, we had a most agreeable season at our house with Bro. Lay and others who joined our social circle. Bro. Lay has spent two nights with us, and we have enjoyed his Christian visit exceedingly. He left us, first-day, at 3 P. M., for Battle Creek, via Orleans and Ionia. He came, weary and worn, and somewhat depressed in spirit. He left, appearing cheered by his visit, and refreshed by the change from home cares. And as this dear brother left us, we could but feel to say, The Lord bless Bro. Lay, and make him a great blessing to the afflicted people of God.

JAMES WHITE.

Greenville, Mich., March 22, 1868.