Light Given Must not Be Neglected.
By W. S. Ingraham
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I wish to speak a few words to you through the REVIEW in relation to my case. I have been reviewing my past life, and I find by so doing that my character has been very imperfect; especially as a minister of the gospel, it has been deficient in many respects. I embraced the Advent doctrine in 1839, under the preaching of Father Miller, and tried to get ready for the coming of the Lord, which it was expected would soon take place. With others, I was disappointed in not seeing the King in his beauty. The nature of this disappointment was fully explained to my mind by the third angel's message, which I gladly received over twenty years ago. From that time I have been identified with my ministering brethren in preaching this message, with its kindred doctrines. But how far have I come short of doing my Heavenly Father's will! Light from Heaven has shone upon my pathway, and by the testimonies given, my defects and errors have been pointed out. But, how have I treated this light? is the great question. I have not risen up against the Testimonies, nor ever doubted them; but have ever believed that they were from Heaven. But why is it that I have not corrected my defects of character, as the light has shone upon my pathway? This is the point. Time after time, light has been given relative to my duty in my family. My children, as soon as they could discern between right and wrong, should have been trained and educated for the better world. Their wrong habits should have been corrected, and they pointed upward to God and Heaven. Here I have failed. In neglecting to live out the95light given relative to my duty to my family, the devil was permitted to open another door, and lead me into danger. Back in 1844, I was dead to the world, and remained so for years; but after neglecting to live out the light given in the Testimonies, Satan was permitted to inspire in my heart a love for the world. When I first became aware of it, I was really astonished, and feared and trembled in view of my case. When the love of the world once takes root in the heart, it is not an easy thing to overcome. I saw others engaged in speculation for the purpose of accumulating the treasures of earth, and as I had ability to some extent in this direction, I thought I would try my hand in doing the same. I cannot say that I ever purposed in my heart to take advantage of any one; but oh! how easy it is for Satan so to blind our eyes that we too highly estimate our own things, and undervalue the things of another. In turning my attention to the things of this life, mostly for the benefit of my children, I soon found my hands tied by increasing cares. My time was so divided between the cause of God and the world, that my labor was worth but little for the advancement of the third angel's message; and while thus entangled in worldly affairs, the church was aiding me with their means. As I now look over the past, I heartily regret my indifference to the light God has given for my benefit. As I look at the present state of the church, I find many in darkness, and, probably, from the same cause. Light, if not rejected, has been neglected. To neglect the light, will as surely bring down the frown of God as to reject it. For some time past my whole soul has been filled with sorrow. Tears run from my eyes, and agonizingly I cry to God for help. Will the saints, in my present affliction, remember me in their prayers? I have been greatly encouraged of late by receiving letters from different ones, in which I learn some have had great liberty in praying for my recovery. I think I have fully learned how to prize the blessing of health. I long to enter the great harvest field again, with renewed faith and vigor to preach the present truth to a world of sinners. For this I ever pray, and ask an interest in the prayers of my brethren. I must be free. I will cut asunder every tie that binds me to earth. I will travel back and gather up the rays of light that have shone on my pathway, and carry them into practice. All Heaven is interested in our behalf. The Lord is calling upon us to awake. Shall we listen to his voice? It cannot be long before the wrath of God will be poured out upon a guilty world. The seven last plagues will desolate the earth, and fall upon the defenseless head of a wretched race. In view of these events which will soon take place, can we sleep any longer? Oh! rally around the heavenly banner, rally once again, upward looking for help, sacrificing all for Christ and the cause of truth. Your afflicted brother in hope,
W. S. Ingraham.
Health Institute, March, 1873.