A CONFESSION by M. D. Amadon

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 6, 1868

A CONFESSION.

By M. D. Amadon

MY DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: A sense of duty prompts me at this time, to speak of some traits in my character, which have been very detrimental to those with whom I have been associated.

I feel that I have had a disposition to watch individuals, and especially my young brethren and sisters, for evil. I have, when I have thought I saw wrongs in them, reproved them in a way that did them much harm, and showed a lack of humility on my own part; and in so doing took upon myself burdens that did not belong to me to bear. I deeply regret this, and have heartily repented of it before God, and made confessions to those with whom I have been intimately associated. But fearing there are persons who have been at Battle Creek and gone away, who have felt the influence of this wrong on my part, I feel it a duty, crossing as it may be, to pen these lines for their benefit.

I would humbly ask all such to forgive me, especially those who have felt any of its effects on their own minds. Dark have been the hours of temptation and trial by reason of it, insomuch that to find my way out into sunlight again by way of confession and repentance is a happy privilege to me.

I feel truly that the Lord has suffered me to pass under the rod, to show me the weakness of my nature and the evil of my heart; and the sight has seemed more than I could endure, and thus it would have been, had not grace come to my aid. Oh! how great is God's goodness in this! May I never forget it. He hath not dealt with me after my sins, nor rewarded me according to my iniquities. My humble prayer to him is, As far as the east is from the west, so far may my transgressions be removed from me.

I am thankful to discover these errors in my nature ere it be too late to repent, and then have them fall back upon me with crushing weight when there is no hope of mercy; no Saviour to plead for me; no kind friends to whisper words of hope, and bear me up in their prayers.

Again I ask the forgiveness of any one whose feelings I have ever injured by word or act; and may I never rest till every breach is healed, and I have the precious assurance that an all-merciful Heavenly Father writes pardon against all my sins that have been registered in his book in Heaven.

M. D. AMADON.

Battle Creek.