EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE
By Mrs. Geo. A. Irwin
For your encouragement I will say that over a year ago I requested prayers for my youngest son, who was about to be led away. Prayer was answered, and now he is in college preparing to enter the work. The noontide hour of prayer is a help to me. At first I could not remember it, but the Lord has helped me to remember it. One day an aged sister came to see me, and I told her of my appointed time to pray. She asked if I had any objections to her taking part with me. Since then we have met daily, and three others have been added to our circle; and before the winter is over, I hope to have many more with us. If, after reading the following extract from a letter, any feel they can give the desired help to the brother and sister in their perplexing situation, we shall be glad to furnish the name and address. We would request, however, that only those who know from their own experience what is best to do under such circumstances, shall offer advice, no matter how reasonable it may seem. There is no time for experiments in a case like this, but sympathetic suggestions and prayerful co-operation are needed:— We desire to ask for advice in regard to the manner in which we shall deal with our oldest son. He does not want to go to school or keep the Sabbath, and refuses to do anything in harmony with the message. Any suggestions as to the best way of dealing with him will be gladly received. He has taken to using tobacco, and to other bad habits. He is sixteen years of age. Pray that God may direct his mind and lead him to the light of truth. I am pleased with the pledges you sent, and would like more to present to my Sabbath-school class, which is composed of young gentlemen and ladies. I wish you would send me about a dozen of each kind, and let me know the price. We have received a number of encouraging words concerning the temperance pledges, and we should be glad to supply all our sisters, and to know that they are taking hold of the temperance work. Almost without an exception every mail brings to our notice some loved one who has formed the evil habits of intemperance, and we are sure that these stirring appeals would open the eyes of many mothers, and inspire them to diligence and carefulness in this matter. These pledges should be presented to our own children, to our Sabbath-school classes, and to all those with whom we come in contact, with careful explanation concerning their meaning. Send for as many pledges as you wish, and we will supply you freely. Address Woman’s Gospel Work. 271 W. Main St. I am so glad you told me about putting up a box for our reading-matter. I wish to do this just as soon as I can get the papers to fill the box. I have many opportunities to give away tracts and papers, and I dispose of all I have. One of my neighbors has accepted most of the truth through reading my papers. She is willing to accept anything the Bible teaches. She had a poor opinion of Seventh-day Adventists when I first met her, but she has changed her mind. To the Lord’s name be all the praise. Your heart must indeed rejoice to know that one woman has accepted nearly all the truth through reading your papers. I wish every sister to know this, so I will make mention of it in our page in the REVIEW; and I trust that every sister who has reading-matter about her home will gather it up, and keep it in a clean condition to give to friends and neighbors. I fear that many are careless about the reading-matter. When I first accepted the truth, I looked upon every paper and tract as sacred; but now I have so many of these publications that I fear I do not regard them as I used to. But I do not allow them to accumulate. That this woman is willing to accept anything the Bible teaches, is a forcible statement. How necessary it is for all of us to know just what the Bible teaches, because we shall find many persons just like this woman; and if we can take to them a “Thus saith the Lord,” they will have no doubts about it.