p. 107 | EMMA E. STURGES by Emma E. Sturges

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 4, 1868

EMMA E. STURGES

By Emma E. Sturges

From Sr. Sturges.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It has not been a lack of interest or zeal in the Master's cause that has prevented my writing to you through the columns of the REVIEW these many weeks. My father's feeble health, together with the household duties which devolve upon me, taxes my physical strength to such a degree, that the time I would occupy in writing, I am obliged to devote to rest. The brethren and sisters who have been disappointed in expected letters from me, will accept this apology for my seeming neglect, and will, I trust, remember sister and me in your prayers. Through the good providence of God, we have been permitted to identify ourselves with the chosen people of God, and humbly trust there has been joy in Heaven as our names have been written in the Lamb's book of life. It may be of interest and encouragement to some of the dear brethren and sisters that I met at the Lancaster Monthly Meeting, to know how the Lord has wrought for me since my return to Fairfield. The enemy of my soul was not long in attacking me. I have passed through a severe conflict, and for two weeks I struggled in darkness and doubt, fearing constantly that the powers of evil would gain the victory. But the Lord did not leave me thus; no, he sent his good angels to my rescue, and I can say with the Psalmist, “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy; for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; and hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; thou hast set my feet in a large room.” Ps. xxxi, 7, 8. Oh! how good the Lord is to them that trust in him. My whole soul is in the work of overcoming. I have set my face as a flint toward Mount Zion, I cannot shrink or look behind, for does not everything tend to encourage us that this is the last, the final conflict! Oh! let there be deep heart-work among us, lest we be deceived and fail of gaining eternal life. I am more fully convinced than ever that time is short. We are nearing that time that shall try men's souls. Who shall be able to stand the great day of God's wrath? Are we ready to receive the latter rain, and having done all to stand? Are we perfect overcomers? Oh! if there is error, coldness, or indifference, creeping upon us, let us humble ourselves low before our God, and cry mightily for mercy; he will hear to-day, 2 Chron. xxiv, 27; to-morrow may be too late. Oh! let us, as God's remnant people, exhort one another, labor with and for the erring, to bring the honest into the way of all truth, so much the more as we see the day approaching.

“Let your lamps be trimmed and burning, And your loins be girded round, Waiting for our Lord's returning, Longing for the welcome sound. “Thus the Christian life adorning, Never need we be afraid, Should he come at night or morning, Early dawn or evening shade.”

Your sister striving for the kingdom.

EMMA E. STURGES

Fairfield Co., Conn.