A Testimony of Faith and Obedience
By Mary Holton
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I take the privilege, for the first time, of writing a few lines for the REVIEW. As I have been encouraged a great many times when reading the testimonies of those of like precious faith, I have often thought, if I had the talents that some have, I would write often for the encouragement of those of my brethren and sisters who are striving to make Heaven their home; but I feel my unworthiness and incompetency for the task, and if I were not deeply impressed that it is my duty to say something in favor of this great cause in which I have enlisted, I would excuse myself by saying, Let those write who can do so better than I. But I know that I have a work to do, and it is only the willing and obedient that shall inherit eternal life, and I want to be one of that number. It has been two years since I heard the present truth, and about eighteen months since I commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. I can truly say that it has been the happiest part of my life; for I had never been a professor of religion, and had never read the Bible as much as I ought to, as I could not understand it. But God, in his kind providence, sent his servants here (Brs. Lawrence and Van Horn,) and I attended their meetings, and was convicted of my duty to become a Christian. I thank my Heavenly Father to-day for the hope I have of a home in his kingdom, and that he gave me a disposition to obey the teachings of his Holy Spirit; and my daily prayer is that I may ever walk in that narrow path that leads to eternal life. When I look back on my past life of sin and disobedience, I feel to say, Truly God has been merciful to me in the midst of deserved wrath; he has dealt kindly with me in sparing my life and giving me health and so many blessings when I was so ungrateful to him. But with his Holy Spirit to lead and guide me, I will devote the remainder of my life to his cause; yes, I will strive to form a character that will be faultless when the Saviour comes, though I feel that I have a great many imperfections to overcome. But I believe if we put our trust in God, that his grace is sufficient for us; for we read in his holy word that he will never leave nor forsake those that put their trust in him. What a blessed promise! In view of this, with our heavenly Master's spirit to lead us, we can overcome all things. Christian friends, I believe that time is short, and if we want to obtain a home in the earth made new, we must pray, and exercise faith in God's word, and keep his commandments and the faith of Jesus. The little company in this place is still striving to overcome, although the enemy is around us on every side. We, in this place, have had, and still have, a great many things to contend with that are calculated to hinder our progress in divine life, but may God help us to stand firm and do our duty as best we can. How hard the servants of God have labored for us here! May we ever realize how good the Lord is to us. Pray for us, that we may overcome. Yours striving for eternal life, MARY HOLTON. Richland Co., Ohio.