ADVANCEMENT by I. Sanborn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 29, 1900

ADVANCEMENT

By I. Sanborn

It has been forty-six years since I fully received and began to teach the truth as God has given it in the Third Angel's Message. When I began, there was no organized Seventh-day Adventist church in existence. There were a few scattered believers like myself. And yet I knew the Lord had called me to teach the truth to my fellow men. I have traveled and taught the people more or less in thirteen States, and have baptized more than two thousand people. I have enjoyed much of the blessing of the Lord in my labor, never having the least occasion to doubt any part of this grand and glorious message. The Testimonies of the Spirit of God have been a wonderful help to me all the way.

It was twenty-four years since I had been to Battle Creek; but on the tenth of last April I arrived in that city and called at the house of Brother T. M. Steward, one of the first Sabbath-keepers I became acquainted with in Wisconsin. I had read of the improvements and advancement the cause of God had made. But when my eyes beheld the wonderful changes that had taken place in this glorious cause since I had last been there twenty-four years ago, my heart overflowed with joy and praise to the Lord, who doeth all things well. And as I went through the several institutions connected with this denomination and saw the many young people that the Lord has there in training for his work, I felt very thankful that the Lord has lengthened out my life to over seventy-seven years so that I have the precious privilege of seeing this wonderful growth in his precious cause.

The treatment I received at the Sanitarium I appreciated very highly. The kindness of the doctors and helpers constrains me to think of them as the servants of the Lord. As I went into the bath room one morning, I noticed several of the helpers on their knees, praying for the blessing of the Lord to help them to do their work well. I always have recommended the sick to go to the Battle Creek Sanitarium, and will continue to do so now more than ever before; because I have been there and seen for myself, and hence can speak of what I know to be true by experience.

I also met with the old people in their home, one morning at the hour of prayer and once at an evening meeting, both of which I greatly enjoyed. At another time I visited the Haskell Home for children. I praise the Lord for putting it into the heart of Mrs. Haskell to make the donation she did for the purpose of rearing and training orphan children for the Lord. The Lord's blessing is upon the children, who number more than one hundred. As I was conducted through the building my heart said, Praise the Lord for his loving-kindness still over the children of men.

May the Lord continue to bless all those institutions which he has brought into existence for the purpose of saving his people from their sins.

I. SANBORN.