ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS by Angelia J. Edmunds

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

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

ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS

By Angelia J. Edmunds

From Sr. Edmunds.

BRO. SMITH: With feelings of gratitude, I attempt to write a few lines this morning. God is very good. He has watched over me. He has kept me from the cruel devices of the enemy, with which he has been trying to ensnare my feet. I am thankful for the words of warning we have through the gifts of the Spirit, and also that I have had a heart to heed the admonitions there given.

My brethren and sisters, God knows where our danger lies. Let us hasten to comply with his requirements while the light of his countenance shines upon us, lest the light that is within us become darkness, the Judgment work in the most holy place find us sleeping, and the sentence be pronounced upon us, “Filthy still.” I think of the children of Israel, how that they did all “eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink.” “But with many of them God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.”

I am more than ever confirmed that we are living in the last days, when “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived;” and I do feel determined, with the help of my Heavenly Father, to profit by the words written for our instruction in the word of God. I look over my past life, and see that I come far short of reaching that perfection to which I wish to attain. I have not heeded the admonitions of older persons as I should. I have been imprudent, placing too much confidence in the honesty and sincerity of those who professed to love the truth.

I do desire to do right, and be an ornament to the cause I love so much, conducting myself in such a way that I may occupy a position where I can, with the blessing of God, be the means of doing some good. I want to confess all my faults, no matter how humbling it may be, that my sins may go beforehand to Judgment. Sad, indeed, will be the condition of those who will not confess and forsake their sins while Jesus is pleading for them. Soon he will cease pleading. In that day there is no mercy. Now mercy lingers. Delay not while there is time and opportunity to repent. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

My trials have been severe of late. While my confidence here has been shaken, I have still found Jesus faithful, and these words are cheering: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” “Ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance.” “Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Yes, Jesus is soon coming. Does not this thought cheer you? While many shall call on rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from his face, we, if faithful, shall exclaim, “This is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us.” Oh! may not one who shall read these lines be of that number who shall draw back unto perdition, but may we all believe to the saving of our souls.

I feel very unworthy, but I want to find a low, humble place at the foot of the cross, and there plead for mercy. Pray for me, that my sins may all be forgiven, and that I may with the dear saints sing the song of victory in Heaven.

ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS

Johnstown, Mich.