Trust Him

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 12, 1901

Susie Williams was a retiring, timid girl of twenty when she was married to Thomas Brown, a sturdy farmer boy of twenty-two. They had begun the Christian life early, and at the time of their marriage were both members of the Presbyterian Church. They at once decided to rear the family altar in their home, and have thanks returned at their table, though it was anything but the custom in the neighborhood in which they lived.

They soon had the opportunity of hearing the Wesleyan Methodists preach. And as they believed about the same that these did, with a few additional things, such as the plain dress, and they also were opposed to raising money to pay their minister and their church expenses by having socials, ice-cream parties, etc., Thomas and his wife decided to cast their lot with them. From their own study of the Word they were convinced that paying tithe is according to their Heavenly Father's plan; so they began at once. Not long after this they heard the Third Angel's Message, and although they fought it at first, they did it honestly; and when they were convinced of the truth, it was with a whole heart that they accepted it. As with others, on receiving this truth their great desire was to take it to those who knew it not. They firmly believed that any one who would investigate it would accept it.

The canvassing work was just beginning, and Thomas decided that this was the work for him; and although he very much disliked to leave his happy home and his timid little wife and baby boys, he could believe nothing else than that the Lord was calling him. They talked it all over together, and decided that this was the work for him. He was soon ready to take his departure. Mrs. Brown managed to keep back the tears until he was gone, and then she gave way to her feelings; and as baby Burt was asleep and Charlie at play, she prayed and cried, but finally told the Lord that she would give her husband to Him and His work if she might only have wisdom to raise her darling boys aright. Yet she often felt lonely, and longed to hear her husband's merry whistle, which had so often told of his home coming.

She decided to take her children one fine afternoon and call on her friends, and perhaps she would receive some words of encouragement; but these were the words that greeted her at every place, "So you are a widow now." "Shouldn't have thought Tom would have left you alone this time of year." "Does he think that he can make a living selling books?" "I tried canvassing once, but found it hard work and poor pay." Too timid to defend her husband and his work, she went home feeling that they did not understand.

Not long after this the Seventh-day Adventist minister and his wife were coming to the neighborhood; and Mrs. Brown invited them to make her home theirs while there, hoping to receive encouragement from them. The first evening was spent very pleasantly indeed; but just before retiring, Sister C. said: "What a pity you have the children, and can not go with your husband. It is lonely for you to live this way." "The children are very dear to me," said Mrs. Brown, "and we think it much better for them to have a settled home." "Yes," said Sister C., "but I have decided to stay close by my husband; for I do not think Eve would have sinned if she had not wandered from Adam."

When they had retired for the night, Mrs. Brown once more gave way to her feelings—not with a feeling of rebellion in her heart, but with resignation and thankfulness that she had one Friend in whom she could trust, One who knew all things, and would sympathize in all her trouble. So again she gave her all to the Lord, and asked wisdom to rear her little ones aright. More than twelve years have passed, and Tom is still in the canvassing work. The boys have grown to sturdy fellows, and Mrs. Brown still feels the loss of her husband; but she is glad that he has been able to spend so many years in the Lord's work, and that they have not been separated by the cruel hand of death. She has learned from whom she can get sympathy and help, and her prayer still is for wisdom to direct the boys aright.