EMILY L. CANRIGHT by Emily L. Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 3, 1871

EMILY L. CANRIGHT

By Emily L. Canright

From Sr. Canright.

BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I desire to give God unfeigned thanks for life, and for all the blessings it has brought to me. From infancy through youth to womanhood his hand has led me, and though my path has often been rough and thorny, and I have met with many disappointments, seen many sorrows, and shed many tears, I have learned to thank God for even these; for I feel they have been my heart's best discipline; and so I have nothing to complain of in the past, and as for the present, it is good, and the future bright. I desire to come out from the world and be separate; to have more of that fullness that is in Christ; to live nearer to God, to love him with all my heart, and serve him with all my ransomed powers. Oh! that I may be a pilgrim and stranger on the earth. I want all malice, and envyings, and hatred, rooted out of my heart, and have only the fruit of the Spirit which is, love, joy, peace, &c.

“It matters not to me, it matters not, If storm or sunshine be my earthly lot; Bitter or sweet my cup, I only pray, God, make me pure and nerve my soul For the stern hour of strife.”

“Through ages of eternal years, my spirit, Never shall repent that toil and care Were once my lot below.”

We are in one sense of the word lonely. We have no society of believers here. No church bell summons us to the house of God when Sabbath morning dawns. No sweet communion with those of like precious faith. No hymns are sung, only as we chant them ourselves. Still we thank God that we are not left entirely alone. We live, in one sense, as near the Fountain Head as others do, and we may hold communion with God as often as we will, and have the constant companionship of the Spirit, which is far superior to all earthly society.

I am earnestly striving by God's grace to be a child of his. To him and to his service I consecrate the remainder of my life; to be content with whatever position he may assign me; to bear life's burdens bravely, and cheerfully, and well; and oh! is it saying too much, to say that I expect, if faithful a little longer, to hear the welcome plaudit, “Well done, good and faithful servant”?’ And all unworthy as I am, in God's mercy through Christ, I hope to tread the golden streets of the New Jerusalem, and wear a crown of glory, and a robe of righteousness.

“When in Heaven we stand, having gained the blest shore, With our harps in our hands we will praise evermore. We will range the fair fields on the banks of the river, And sing of redemption forever and ever.”