Testimony No. 17 by J. H. W.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 16, 1869

Testimony No. 17.

By J. H. W.

I HAVE just finished reading this very important publication, and cannot express my feelings of thankfulness to God for this means of “perfecting the saints.” We live in “perilous times;” and oh! how much we need the guiding hand of our heavenly Father to conduct us safely through them all. As I read these kind reproofs and instructions, I felt like exclaiming with the Psalmist: “Happy is the people whose God is the Lord.” But our God is holy, and the “pure in heart” alone shall see him. I pity those who can read these stirring appeals and exhortations to purity of action and of thought, and deny the Spirit of God in the gift. May the Lord bestow the spirit of discernment, of humility and obedience.

I do not suppose that, on so hasty a reading, I was able to discover every admonition that would apply to my own case; and yet I confess to be standing deeply reproved by the reading. I purpose to examine it more closely, and carefully note every sentence that I think the Spirit of God might send directly to me. I think that person is near to God indeed who cannot make out a somewhat lengthy “personal testimony” from this number.

It is fearful to think what would be our condition without these heaven-sent instructions! How alarmingly prevalent is self deception. And while we pray the Lord to fulfill his promise, and send his Spirit to guide us into all truth (Jno. xvi, 13), may we not despise its teachings, but ever be thankful that it is our privilege to have our errors corrected, and we be fitted through divine grace for a place in the “Holy City.”

J. H. W. Maine, Mar. 1, 1869.