Results of Missionary Labor.
By Mrs. H. P. Gray
MEMBERS of our V. M. Society have lately received quite a number of interesting letters, and have been much encouraged. Thinking the reading of a few extracts of some of them in the SIGNS might have the same effect upon missionary workers generally, I send you the following:— A gentleman from Canada says: "I assure you I still value those papers. I am always very thankful for them. I always deliver them to some friend as soon as I am through with them, so they lose no power. I cannot give my views on the Sabbath question. I am, however, deeply interested." Another gentleman from Texas writes: "I have received the tracts and SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and I must say that I feel truly thankful to you for them. I am pleased with the spirit of their teachings and principles, so far as I understand them. I am an old man, a member of the Methodist Church. I strive to live as becomes the follower of the Lord Jesus, and to show forth his praise, not only with my lips but in my life. I have frequently asked the question of Methodist and Baptist ministers, 'Who changed the Sabbath?' The question has never been satisfactorily answered to my mind." A lady of Oregon writes: "I have read your letter over several times, also the papers and tracts, and humbly asked for divine guidance and understanding. I told you if I became convinced of error I would surely try to do my duty. I now acknowledge that I am convinced that the change of the Sabbath was not made nor sanctioned in the days of Christ or the apostles, and that it is wrong to keep any other than the Lord's Sabbath. I am not ashamed to own my convictions. Pray for me that I may be led aright." A lady of this State who became interested a few years ago upon hearing a few sermons, and who has since become a subscriber for the SIGNS, says: "I love the doctrine. It has done me good; given me health, strength, and peace of mind." Another lady of this State writes: "I thank you sincerely for papers and pamphlets received. I am interested in all things pertaining to the better understanding of religious truths. I am not a member of any church, but have always had reverence for Christianity and the Bible as I have understood it. I will thankfully receive and read anything you may send me." A good Baptist lady from Illinois promises that she will thoroughly investigate the Sabbath question, that she is very much pleased with the papers and incloses money to subscribe for it herself during the coming year. While we have had so many favorable letters, we have also received answers from some who turn away from the word of "Him that speaketh from Heaven," fulfilling the words of 2 Tim. 4:3, 4. A worthy divine of the Baptist Church of this State says: "As to your views of keeping the commandments I prefer John's teachings to that of the old decalogue, by which no flesh can be saved. We were glad to hear that the brother believes in following John's teachings, for there are many precious exhortations and promises in his writings concerning the keeping of the commandments to those who will heed. We mention a few references: 1 John 3:4; 5:2, 3; 2:3, 4; John 14:15, 24; and if he could accept any other authority than John, he will find in Jas. 4:12 that there is one Lawgiver; in Isa. 33:22 that the Lord is our Lawgiver; in Rom. 3:31 that Christ establishes the law, but does not make it void. In Matt. 5:17 again Christ admonishes his disciples: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy but to fulfill;" and in verse 19 of the same chapter he gives the result of breaking and also of keeping the law, &c. We feel assured that with careful study the brother cannot dispense with the law. MRS. H. P. GRAY, Librarian.
Lemoore, Cal., March 25.