p. 175 | Words of Faith by L. C. Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 16, 1871

Words of Faith.

By L. C. Canright

The other day as I was looking over my stored treasures, many of them relics of early childhood, I took up a neatly folded and written paper, yellow with age, and somewhat worn by use, containing some of the last words of my dying father, Eld. S. T. Cranson. Thus reminded of this dear parent, who was once with us, and who faithfully taught us our first lessons of the coming One, tears flowed freely; but through them I could read those words of faith and patience, which now give comfort and the blessed assurance that he who uttered them and has slept for these many years, will shout victory over the grave in the bright morning of the resurrection, which will soon dawn. In the triumph of his dying hour, he exclaimed:

“Oh, what patience! Oh, what resignation! The Lord has let me feel some of his glory to-day. The Sabbath, oh! the Sabbath, that blessed truth. Oh! how precious: Oh! that all would feel what I have felt! I am testing my religion now. Oh, glory! Don’t look to the cross for the atonement, but look to the sanctuary, where Jesus is. Confess your sins. Oh, the third angel’s message! It is truth. It will gather out a few honest ones for the kingdom.”

He often repeated, “Perfect peace. I long for rest. Oh! for patience. Keep your eye on the kingdom. The kingdom is coming, it is coming. Jesus is coming soon. Tell the brethren to hold on to the third angel’s message. It is right. It is SOLID AS A ROCK.” His last words were, “I thank the Lord for patience.”

Nearly a score of years have passed since these words were uttered, but in them is expressed the same hope that we now love to dwell upon. Since 1855 much light has shone upon the pathway of the people of God. What to them then was faith, we now clearly see. What then was to them as the rising of the morning sun, is to us as the shining of the sun at midday.

If holy zeal and consecration characterized the life of the believer in the early part of this work, how much should these graces be manifested by us so much farther down the stream of time. Have we not reason to rejoice in the possession of this precious truth? If at an earlier period they could rejoice in the third angel’s message, we have ten-fold more reason for rejoicing now when our redemption is so near at hand. Then let us review the evidences of our hope, and forever put away doubting and uncertainty. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised.” Heb. 10: 23.

L. C. CANRIGHT.

Monroe, Iowa.