p. 63 | MY EXPERIENCE by C. K. DRURY

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 17, 1876

MY EXPERIENCE.

By C. K. DRURY

THE Lord works in mysterious ways to call people from darkness into the light of the truth.

Up to the summer of 1874, Seventh-day Adventists were a people wholly unknown to me. My attention was first called to them by reading an advertisement of a camp-meeting, to be held in Wolcott, Vt. I thought they must be very curious people, trying to make Sunday out of Saturday. I supposed there was no truth in their position, and thought no more on the subject for one year, when my attention was again called to them by reading a similar notice, for the meeting at Essex Junction.

This impression did not leave me so easily; for I often found myself reading the notice. One day while reading and reflecting upon it (some unseen power held me as if fixed to the spot), the words, "Seventh-day Adventists," ran through my mind with thrilling effect. Why those words should so forcibly impress me, I could not then understand, but I do now. I then and there resolved that I would investigate and know if these things were true. At last the long-looked-for time arrived; for I was anxiously waiting. I attended about every meeting. At first I was most favorably impressed, although convinced of the truth, but before the meetings closed, I could see that this people were right in keeping the seventh day, but I had not fully made up my mind to obey. When the first Sabbath came, I started for the "camp," and it was truly a Sabbath to me. Every thing seemed to say, This is God's holy day. I was not quite ready to give up and keep this Sabbath, so after services I returned to my office.

I went about my work the next Sabbath, but nothing went right, so I worked but half a day. I was fully persuaded that it was my duty to keep the Sabbath, but a thousand objections raised their puny heads, like, "You can't, what will become of your business?" "Don't be so foolish," &c.; while, on the other hand, I could see, as distinctly as if written in letters of gold, Duty, duty, duty. I dared not go back, and say I had never received light; to go forward seemed like lifting a load far too heavy for me. And truly it was too much for a mortal to undertake in his own strength. I was about ready to shrink from duty and turn again to my former faith (Methodism), but alas! my former hope had fled, never more to return. It could not stand in the light of the truth. Then there was nothing to be done but to put my trust in One who is mighty and able to save, and who will succor all that come to him. I did this; and when the next Sabbath came it found me ready and willing to keep it. And after nearly one year in connection with this Sabbath-keeping people, I can with an honest heart say, If there is a people who can rejoice in the promises of God, it is the Seventh-day Adventists.

There is a great work to be done. There are many precious souls to be saved, and the time is short. The perils of the last days are upon us. My brother, my sister in the present truth, let us labor while the day lasts. Let us not fear the face of clay, but stand up and declare these precious truths to lost and sinful man, that we may stand acquitted, and be accounted worthy of eternal life in the day that the Lord shall make up his jewels.

I feel that I have a personal duty to perform in the closing work of the third angel's message. The thought comes to me that some one else can perform it for me; but what would be my plea in the Judgment if I knew my duty and performed it not? I dare not risk it. No other person can do my work for me. The Lord knows who can do certain duties best, and if he calls me it is my duty to respond. I do truly feel that he calls me to share in the closing work of the last message of mercy. It may be to preach the word, or it may be to go from house to house in the missionary work and thus spread this good news, to point sinners to the broken law, and to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. To do this, we must draw near, yes, very near to God, and live humbly before the world.

Reader, let us search our hearts anew and drive out every thing not in accordance with the will of God, that it may be well with us when we shall be called to render up our account for the deeds of this life. I desire to so consecrate myself to him that the language of my heart shall be—

"Lord I desire with thee to live Anew from day to day, In joys this world can never give, Nor ever take away.

"Blest Jesus, come and rule my heart, And make me wholly thine, That I may never more depart, Nor grieve thy love divine."

C. K. DRURY.

Essex Junction, Vt., Aug. 2, 1876.