p. 299 | MARTHA DUTCHER by Martha Dutcher

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 21, 1868

MARTHA DUTCHER

By Martha Dutcher

From Sister Dutcher.

BRO. SMITH: I desire to add my mite with the rest of the brethren and sisters in giving thanks unto the Lord for his goodness. How heartily do I feel to thank God that ever my eyes were opened to the truth, and that through the influence of the Spirit of the Lord I gave my heart to the Saviour, and to-day am one of those that are striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. It is a little over five months since I first began to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. I have received much persecution, being the only Sabbath-keeper in the place; but it has only tended to draw me nearer to Jesus. It has helped me to realize more fully that he is a friend that will never leave nor forsake those that put their trust in him. There are no hours so dear to me as those of the holy Sabbath day. I do not feel it a trial, but rather a blessed privilege to rest upon the seventh day, the day which the Lord blessed and hallowed. I am one of the lonely-ones with no arm to lean upon but the arm of our Beloved; but I find that his arm is all-sufficient. I ask no greater blessing than to ever feel a Saviour's presence, and though I mourn the loss of a dear companion, still I sorrow not as those without hope; for I trust that he is fallen asleep in Jesus.

“Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep, From which none ever wake to weep.”

And I trust that I too may be ready to yield up all the joys of earth, and lay all upon the altar unmurmuringly. Oh! if there is one lonely one that may, perhaps, peruse these few lines, one whose heart is aching in its loneliness and desolation, one who feels as though his heart was buried in the grave with the form of some loved one, listen and hear in this bereavement the voice of the Saviour saying, Be of good cheer, It is I. Remember that he feels for your sorrow with a sympathy felt from experience. Remember how in anguish of spirit at the grave of Lazarus, Jesus wept; and put your trust in him. Believe in him. Believe in the comforting promises that he has given us, that they that believe in him shall never die, and that though they are dead yet shall they live again. Let us weep, not for the dead, but rather for the living. Does it seem that the clouds hang so heavy and dark that not one ray of light may penetrate through the gloom? Then let Faith bear you upon her snowy pinions forward to the time when you shall meet your loved ones again, nevermore to part. As I listen, I seem to hear, “harp strings touched by angel's fingers,” and it seems as though, “evermore their sweet song would linger,” in my heart, “We shall know each other there.”

Pray for me that I may perform my duty faithfully, being ever desirous of being led by the good Spirit, in all things submitting myself to the will of Him who doeth all things well; and let us never mind the scoffs nor the jeers of the world, but strive to obey God in all his blessed requirements so that at last we may obtain eternal life. Hoping with all of God's dear children to gain an entrance through the pearly gates into the golden city.

I remain your pilgrim sister,

MARTHA DUTCHER

Westchester Co., N. Y.