Confession and Reformation.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
THE discourse on 1 John 1, by Bro. White, was read by me with deep interest. God is light. In him is no darkness at all. If we say, We have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie. I was convicted, and had been before, that I was too far from God, the source of light. How shall I get into the light, and more clearly discern the path of duty, and have the needed help to perform? By confession. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” I resolved that I would try this course and get into the light; that I would search for my sins, and confess them. The appeal I have read and re-read with deep and prayerful interest. I greatly desire to have a part in the work of the Lord. Truly, it must be a “terrible sin” for those who profess to believe that God is leading this people, and speaking to them by his Spirit in the gift of prophecy, and “yet from heedlessness receive no lasting impression when reproved, but go on as before, making no changes in those things wherein they are reproved.” I often think of the reproofs I have had, and have tried to heed them and correct my errors; but how far short I have come. I feel the force and truthfulness of these words: “Be not deceived, brethren. You know in your very souls that you come very far short of realizing in yourselves what is comprehended in these precious words of John, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth you from all sin.”” I am satisfied that there is no “other way to the light but by confession.” And further, that “God did not specify all” my sins. It is my design to try confession. To confess all my wrongs to the ones who have been affected by them. And I ask the forgiveness of all those who have been grieved, or affected evilly, by my errors; and I ask the prayers of those who are nearer to God than myself, and realize the exceeding blessing, by walking in the light.