Conference Department

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 6, 1870

Conference Department.

Exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Heb. 2:25.

This Department is designed to fill the same place in the paper that the Conference or Social Meeting does in the worship of God. Speak often one to another to comfort, edify and aid each other in the way of holiness and true Christian experience.

BRO. S. W. HICKOK writes from Dodge Co., Minn.: The Scriptures enjoin upon us the duty to exhort one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. What a favorable opportunity is afforded us through our precious paper thus to do. I fear, for one, that I have not yielded obedience in this direction as I should. I have oft felt strengthened by reading communications from others, and I ought at least to try to encourage others. I would say that the Lord has abundantly refreshed my poor soul, and I feel it but just to acknowledge his love and compassion to one so completely unworthy. I might well adopt the words,

“He near my soul has always stood; His loving kindness, oh, how good!”

But especially since our excellent camp-meeting at Wasioja have I felt the rich blessing of the Lord, and by his assisting grace I hope to retain it. Pray for me, that I may. I have never felt the sweetness of the present truth as I now feel it.

I never felt that nearness to those who are striving to yield obedience to its requirements that I now feel; and especially for those whom God has stationed in the field to herald these unpopular truths. God forbid that I should ever forget them in my entreaties at the throne of grace.

How can I forget these dear servants of God who stand foremost in the ranks, exposed to all the missiles of the enemy. While thinking of them, I have been led to think of Napoleon. What pains was taken to select as his body-guard the most valiant men that could be obtained, and to provide them with armor of the most reliable quality, that his critical position might be secure.

May not the situation of these dear servants be compared with his? and ought we not, while we try to arm ourselves with the whole armor of God, to have a special interest for them, that the arm of Israel’s God may shield them from the fierce assaults of the enemy? It so seems to me. Then shall we not give heed to their counsel, and not, like ancient Israel, fall through unbelief?

I seem to hear the response, All that the Lord has said will we do and be obedient. May the Lord help us thus to do, that we may at last possess the goodly land.