MARY BALL by Mary Ball

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 15, 1873

MARY BALL

By Mary Ball

From an Aged and Lonely One.

WHILE reflecting on God’s goodness in leading me to accept the truth as it is in his holy word, I am led to exclaim, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and praise his holy name that he has permitted me to live in the last days, when we are looking for and expecting our Lord’s coming; when the signs in the churches, among the people, and in the elements, are so plain that we know the day is not far distant when we shall see our Saviour coming in clouds of glory, with his holy angels, to awake his sleeping saints, when we shall rejoice at the sound of the trumpet, and hear the gracious words, “Come, ye blessed.” This is joy unspeakable.

Through the efforts of our dear Bro. Williams, who now sleeps, I have been enabled to receive the precious truth, and to try to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, in my old age. Am now in my seventy-second year. Five years ago, Bro. Williams brought us reading, which we joyfully received and studied, which threw light upon the Scriptures that has been food for my soul. Bless the Lord. Jesus said he was the bread of life, and except we eat of his flesh and drink of his blood, we have no life in us; and we know his word is true. When we search the Scriptures, they are food, day and night; and he says, “Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they that testify of me.” We have a record whereby we may learn of him, and I, even I, enjoy this precious blessing; and how often in my lonely hours, and while pleading with my dear Saviour, does my heart plead for my dear friends, that they may receive the truth and love it as I love it.

The approach of the holy Sabbath gives me joy, and joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. Jesus has said, Keep the commandments; and keep my commandments, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments. Do we obey him? Oh! may we all try. At the age of nine years, I learned the commandments, and often wondered why they were broken; but as the ministers of the Presbyterian and other churches taught differently, I supposed it was because I was ignorant that I did not understand it. But how plain did our Heavenly Father write them with his own finger upon tables of stone, never to be effaced; and our blessed Saviour ever taught them. Oh! that we may be faithful, and ever obey him. Oh! that I may ever be faithful, and watch, that I may hear the blessed sound when my Redeemer comes and awakes his saints.

MARY BALL

Rock Co., Wis.