Blessings from Brother Butler’s Ministry
By Mary A. Kilgore
Dear Brethren and Sisters: Another Sabbath is past, and God in his loving-kindness is still bestowing blessings upon us without number; so much so that I cannot refrain from acknowledging them through the Review. On last Sabbath we were blest with the labors of our very highly-esteemed Bro. Butler, who came to us in an acceptable time. He spoke on Heb. xi, 1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Truly it was refreshing, and meat in due season. Then on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the trying of our faith, and many other subjects calculated to encourage us on our way. Again through the week, and to-day, we have been favored, and I trust, blessed, with the reading of his very appropriate sermon on humility. May God grant him the continuance of that best of all graces until he becomes perfect in Christ; and may we all share more liberally in the abundance of that grace until we get where the Lord wants us to be, esteeming ourselves, as did our Saviour, of no reputation, but esteeming others better than ourselves, and seeing ourselves as God sees us, poor and needy. Why should we be exalted, or think we are something, when we are nothing? Oh! for a realizing sense of the great condescension of God, and the value of that precious sacrifice which he has made for such a rebel as I. Now may I, by his grace assisting me, be enabled to so live, that I may be the means, in his hands, of bringing others into the fold of Christ, and to see the bright and glorious light that shines from his holy word. We prize the Review above all other reading, except the Bible and Spiritual Gifts. Although we are blessed with many other privileges which many others are deprived of, we are thankful for a good sermon every week, and for the many other most needful instructions which we could not do without while walking in this narrow path. The testimonies from the dear brethren and sisters, especially the lonely ones, also do us good. May God comfort and encourage them to press on through trials, though the way may be rough or smooth, until they get beyond the reach of the enemy. When I visited the Review Office last summer I was filled with wonder, and thankfulness, to see the abundance of publications, and the means collected according to God's order, and fitted up for the express purpose of warning an undeserving world of its impending danger. My heart's desire and prayer to God for those at the head of the work is, that they may be men and women fearing God, and hating covetousness, and may he lead them in ways that they know not, and help them to watch the fort, and keep the fountain pure, that the streams that flow from it may be pure also. We are thankful for the health, and dress reforms, believing it is just in the right time and place. We hope it may have the desired effect on our bodies and in our hearts, help to cleanse us from sin, humble us, and take away every thing that may hinder Jesus from coming in to sup with us and we with him. True, we are as speckled birds, and a wonder to the world around; but I for one esteem it a privilege to endure the cross, and despise the shame, that I may win Christ, and be found of him in peace, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing. I realize my unworthiness and weakness; but in the strength of Israel's God, I feel determined to obtain that gold which is tried in the fire, for certainly there is nothing short of it that will stand the test in that trying hour, while there is no mediator between ourselves and that holy God who knows and searches all hearts. May the Lord help us all to realize it, and take hold of it in earnest, and lean upon his strong arm for strength, that we may be able to go through and inherit the promised possession. Another great blessing which I would not forget to attribute to the goodness of our Heavenly Father, is in giving willing hearts to ten of our family, including a son-in-law and daughter-in-law, to turn from the world, and try to walk in the narrow way that leads to life eternal. We desire your prayers that we may live and act in a manner becoming the gospel of Christ, so that we may have an influence over the other members of our family, and also upon the world around, that may tell to the conversion of some to the truths we so much love.