Your ShelfYour Projects

LYDIA J. VAN DOREN

11%

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 21, 1869

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 34, No. 13.

Read the full edition

LYDIA J. VAN DOREN

By Lydia J. Van Doren

From Sr. Van Doren.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have long felt it to be a duty, as well as a privilege, to write for our beloved paper, but have felt too unworthy to say a word; but I hope, by so doing, to encourage some lone pilgrim. It is a little over one year since my husband and myself commenced to try to keep all the commandments of God. We had but a little light then; but it has grown brighter and brighter. May God help us to walk in the light, is my prayer. It looks as if we had made some progress; but there is much yet to be done before we can stand the test of the Judgment.
We are of the lonely ones, living thirty-eight miles from the church of which we are members. We do not meet with them very often; but when we do, it is like getting a taste of the joys that await us, if faithful, when we shall go up to the house of the Lord.
Oh! how we love the REVIEW. It is a help to us. I believe I never felt the power of Satan as I do now. Sometimes I feel almost overcome by him; but eternal life looks so precious that I cannot give it up. I want to be saved, and only the overcomer can be. We can all overcome, if we will. The promises are sure. Come, let us arise and go to the kingdom. There is nothing in this world that we want; all is vanity. Then why cling to this world, and refuse to follow Jesus, who has done so much for us? He will save us from our sins, if we will let him. He is faithful that has called us, who also will do it.
If we would die to self, then it would be easy to obey God. We should find it easy to show our love for Jesus by keeping his Father's law, and following in his footsteps.
Dear brethren, pray for us. Let us all cry mightily to God for help to put away all sin. These are perilous times; but God has not forsaken his people. It is our sins that separate us from God. He will hear us. Let us perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. Oh! let us work now; let us take heed to our ways lest we be found wanting.

LYDIA J. VAN DOREN

Lenawee Co., Mich.