DELILAH C. ELMER by Delilah C. Elmer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 30, 1869

DELILAH C. ELMER

By Delilah C. Elmer

From Sr. Elmer.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS; I wish to acknowledge the goodness of the Lord to me since attending the N. E. Camp-meeting. For six months previous to this, I had been in a discouraged state of mind, with but little hope of ever getting through to the kingdom. I had been for seventeen years a devoted lover of the testimonies of Sr. White. They were a great source of help and comfort to me. But when I received Testimony No. 17, I was passing through trials of a peculiar nature, and while I read the many pointed, personal testimonies, I felt that I was guilty in many respects. I could see so much sin, and so little good, that I had done in my life, that my spirit nearly sank within me. I laid the Testimonies all aside, and for months scarcely looked into one of them, for fear I should read something that would condemn me. The thought that I had let cases among the worthy poor and needy in our midst pass by without doing more for them (especially one lovely orphan who now sleeps in the grave), was piercing to me, almost beyond endurance. I felt that I needed a new conversion. When I saw the appointment for the N. E. Camp-meeting, I was glad, for I thought that if I should attend, it might be a benefit to me; and I am happy to say that, although it was not a time of excitement and great rejoicing with me, yet hope revived, and courage and peace of mind came to my troubled soul. I did not rely alone on the efforts of others, although I greatly prized them. I tried to consecrate myself to the Lord anew, and with fasting and prayer return to him. I feel like daily consecrating myself to the Lord. I have much to do to get ready for what is coming upon the earth, and but little time to do it in; yet I am greatly encouraged as I have the sweet evidence of His assisting grace. I feel incapable of praising him enough for what he is doing for me. “Oh! give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the people.” Ps. cv, 1. “Oh! that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Ps. cvii, 8.

DELILAH C. ELMER

Franklin Co., Mass.