LETTERS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 15, 1876

From an interesting letter from sister P. Lawrence, an aged and infirm sister, living in Barnstable Co., Mass., we take the following:—

“I read a piece in the Review of March [on Systematic Benevolence]. The first part of the piece I did not read, as I had no opportunity to send the paper to a distant friend, but there is enough in this paper to enlighten and glorify. I never saw such beautiful harmony in all God’s requirements before—only one-tenth of our increase. When I read this article by Eld. Canright, I felt as though God had opened the windows in Heaven and let a heavenly light come down.

“I have been praying for all the fullness of God. I am sure God will fulfill every promise, and he that hungereth and thirsteth for righteousness shall be filled. I have not been to a meeting for many a year—have heard no advent preaching, so on Sabbaths I spend alone. I feel that I am a great sinner, such as Jesus came to save. His blood cleanseth from all sin, though as scarlet; in him I trust.”

Bro. W. A. Raymond, Calhoun Co., Mich., after speaking of sufferings by the way, says:—

“Then comes the everlasting reward—eternal life. Oh! we never can realize what God has done for us and is still doing until made like him. I am glad we are almost home—glad Jesus is soon coming. I would add the following lines, as they express my feelings:—

“This groaning earth is too dark and drear For the saints’ eternal home, But the city from Heaven will soon appear; We know that the moment is drawing near When she in her glory shall come; Her gates of pearl we soon shall see, And her music we soon shall hear; Joyous and bright our home shall be, And we’ll walk in the shadow of life’s fair tree, With our Saviour forever near. “‘We’ll gladly exchange a world like this, Where death triumphant reigns, For a beautiful home in that land of bliss, Where all is happiness, joy, and peace, And nothing can enter that pains. There is no more sorrow and no more night; For the darkness shall flee away; The crucified Lamb is its glorious light, And the saints shall walk with him in white In that happy, unending day. “‘Oh! there the loved of earth will meet Whom death has sundered here, The prophets and patriarchs there we’ll greet, And all shall worship at Jesus’ feet, No more separation to fear. Though trials and griefs await us here, The conflict will shortly be o’er. This glorious hope our hearts shall cheer; For we know that the Saviour will soon appear, And then we shall grieve no more.”