Sister L. F. Louise's Testimony from Grant County, Wisconsin
By L. F. Louise
SISTER L. F. LOUISE writes from Grant Co., Wis.: I read the REVIEW with great interest, because it teaches the truths of the Bible so plainly. The tracts are also so delightful. The doctrine agrees exactly with the word of God. I am 68 years of age, was raised in Hampden Co., Mass., among the Presbyterians. I heard a great deal of erroneous doctrine preached, such as foreordination, election, infant reprobation, &c., yet I joined that church because there was no other. Soon after, my parents moved to Penn., on the Susquehanna River. In process of time the Methodists came there and preached. My husband embraced religion, we united with the church, and remained there till 1843, when two Adventist ministers came there and lectured on the prophecies. They met with great opposition and persecution, yet there were some who believed the truth, my husband and myself and family among the number. Some two years after, another came and preached. They soon had good revivals, established churches, and held camp-meetings. I saw elders Himes, Litch, Boyer, Gates, Farrer, Lanning, Butler, Chapman, Osler, and Stanton. I thank God that I ever heard an Adventist preach. I have always esteemed those preachers very highly for their works’ sake. From that place we moved west. I have not heard one preach for fourteen years, but have often prayed that I might live to hear some one preach the Advent doctrine again. Bless God for the hope that I shall. The first-day Adventists said nothing about the Sabbath; but I have read your papers and tracts, and I am perfectly satisfied you have the right Sabbath. There are seven of us here keeping the Sabbath. May God help us to hold fast to the truth. We are trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, though we meet with great opposition. Some of our friends have almost forsaken us, yet I feel to praise God in the midst of all trouble and trials; for I do know that these light afflictions will work out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory in the end. My husband died a firm believer in the Advent faith, having the full assurance of a glorious immortality at the resurrection of the just. It is more than twenty years since we became Adventists. I have never been in the least sorry. I love the truth. My prospects grow brighter. I can see more true light in the Bible than I ever could before. I have read the REVIEW and tracts with much interest. I am led to cry out, Truly knowledge has increased. Our preachers have been trying to misrepresent Seventh-day Adventists, by telling falsehoods even in the pulpit. This is done on purpose to raise prejudice among the people. We received a letter from Elder Sanborn, stating that he would come here and preach, as soon as convenient. May God speed the time; for we are anxious to see him.