TO THE BELIEVERS IN THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE by Joseph Harvey Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 1, 1868

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 11.

TO THE BELIEVERS IN THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE.

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN THE LORD: For some time past I have felt it my duty to make some more direct and explicit reference to the testimonies given to the church and to individuals; and now, as close testimonies are being given, and minds unused to the trials of the way, may be tempted to harbor feelings against them, I can no longer forbear, but must utter a few words of warning to all. Some of my brethren know that I have suffered afflictions, and endured trials much of my life; and, although some of them could not be avoided by me, much could have been. And if you wish for peace of mind and strength in the Lord, I entreat you to take warning by me. I have been made weak when I should be strong.

When I first received the faith of this message, I received also the visions given through Sr. White as of God. Some have judged that, because I did not always walk fully up to their instructions, I did not believe them. This was a mistake. Since the fall of 1855 I have never entertained a doubt of their truthfulness and heavenly origin. But sometimes duties were marked out which seemed difficult to conform to, and I excused myself after making an effort, and became discouraged. Again, when testimonies were presented coming close to those whom I loved more than my life, they seemed hard; not that I disbelieved them, or actually rebelled against them; but they seemed hard, and my sympathy was often enlisted to the injury of my judgment. Here was the deception of the enemy, and the danger; and here I wish to give the warning. There may be those somewhat similarly situated, to whom the testimony may seem hard and severe. Let me entreat you, as you value peace of mind here, and your soul's salvation, to resist these feelings, and let your spirits become fully reconciled to the things of God's Spirit. Wherever I have hesitated, or suffered my feelings to rise against a single word in those testimonies, there have I learned by the most painful experience that the word and will of the Lord must be respected in every particular.

No one, it appears to me, could have deeper love for family and home than I have had. My wife and children have been everything in this world to me; and I have labored with untiring energy to fit up a home that would be pleasant and cheering to them. But where God is dishonored, and his authority disregarded, there can be no real nor lasting happiness. More bitter than a thousand deaths has been the agony I have suffered while some whom I have loved so fondly, and for whom I have labored so devotedly, have turned against me, and planted thorns in my breast, which must rankle there till the Great Physician shall heal all the wounds of his suffering ones. That home, around which might have clustered only pleasant associations, appears gloomy and cheerless to me. Each tree and shrub planted and nurtured by my hand, for the sake of the loved ones, is now but a reminder of wasted energies and blighted hopes. This result was faithfully pointed out years ago, and the way of peace, union and happiness marked out before us; but the spirit of rebellion hedged up the way of peace; my heart sunk in discouragement; my hands hung down in feebleness; and instead of a peaceful home, a cheerful age, and strength to labor for my ever-faithful Master in Heaven, I feel like a homeless outcast, deserted and betrayed by dearest friends, my declining years to be spent in sorrow; and with energies crippled, physical constitution broken, and mental powers greatly impaired, I scarcely dare to offer to God the lame sacrifice of my remaining days.

Dear brethren and sisters, do not think the picture is overdrawn. Words cannot express what I have suffered because these precious testimonies have not been regarded by my household. It is impossible to tell what anguish of spirit I have endured. It is not pleasant to refer to these things. Those who know me best know that I am inclined to hide my sorrows in my own breast, and to let a cheerful countenance hide an aching heart. But I write from a sense of duty; duty to God, to more explicitly acknowledge his kind, Fatherly hand in the gift of these testimonies; and duty to my fellow-beings, to warn them never to slight the messages sent in love through these visions. If you pass them by with the least degree of carelessness, you do it at your peril. No one, perhaps, has had more plausible reasons, or more unfavorable circumstances, to plead, for a partial fulfillment of their directions, than I have had. But God will not be trifled with. He never admits excuses. Circumstances do not stand in his way; and he will order our steps if we promptly acknowledge him.

Do not think I am in despair, or feel at all like giving up the struggle. No, no. I have much, very much, to be thankful for. All is not lost. Some who are very precious to my heart are trying to walk in the way of truth. It is of the Lord's mercy. All that I am, though but a wreck compared to what I ought to be, is to the praise of his grace. Satan has worked mightily for my overthrow, but the Lord is my conqueror. He is my preserver. I have feared I should let my afflictions work against me, instead of having them work for me. I have fainted at the rebuke of the Lord. My daily prayer is that he will forgive me, and still suffer me to occupy some humble place, and bear some little part, with his own dear people, who are preparing for translation at the coming of our Redeemer.

Again I entreat all to draw near to God when you are corrected of him, and you will find him a loving Father, chastening only in love and for our profit. To his name be praise and glory forever.

J. H. WAGGONER.

Battle Creek, Mich., Aug. 25, 1868.