p. 158 | Extracts from Letters

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 2, 1871

Extracts from Letters.

SISTER E. E. STURGES writes from Fairfield Co., Ct.: I acknowledge with the deepest humility that for the past year I have been wandering from the Lord. With shame do I confess that my neglect of secret prayer, self-examination, and watchfulness, gave Satan a chance to work; and he did work with a will. I was easily led captive, for I had lain down my armor, and he knew how little power I had to resist temptation.

I flattered myself that because I kept the Sabbath and adopted the reforms, I was safe. Oh! what a miserable mistake I made. Thus I lived along for nearly a year. All this time Satan was artfully and with the most cunning skill laying a snare for my feet; and as I was blinded by the powers of darkness, I was easily drawn into it.

I did not see that I was in any danger, but kept gradually moving backward into the world and downward to destruction till the Lord in mercy showed me my wicked and rebellious course.

Some three weeks ago, my sister was twice warned in a dream of my condition. She became alarmed at once, and told me of her dreams, and that they were warnings from the Lord. She urged me to return and seek a full consecration to the Lord, at the same time assuring me that she had this evidence that the Lord had not entirely forsaken us. I became fully roused, and we could neither of us sleep that night. The next day we fasted, wept, and prayed, covenanting anew to seek and serve God. The next day, in our sadness and distress, Bro. Haskell unexpectedly came to see us. We knew the Lord had sent his servant in the time of our greatest need. His words of counsel and encouragement cheered our hearts, and I resolved to cut loose from everything that hindered me from consecrating myself entirely to the Lord.

With deep sorrow of heart I reviewed my past course, spending days and nights in self-examination, prayers, and tears. For two weeks I could not raise my head above the clouds. I felt if I could only wipe out the sins of the past how gladly would I do it. But no, the wrong influence had gone out, precious opportunities had been lost, and I must give an account.

I cried in the bitterness of my soul, Is there no hope? Have I sinned against so much light and knowledge that there is no mercy?

But the Lord heard me in my distress, and he has given me an evidence that he accepts the sacrifice of a broken and a contrite heart.

I cannot express the joy and gratitude that fills my heart for all God’s goodness to me. I can appreciate the precious promise in Hosea 14:4, as I never did before.

And now, dear brethren and sisters, I am resolved to redeem the time. I will try in the strength of my Master to keep humble, and work for Jesus. I expect conflicts with the enemy; but I know if I am in the place where God can work through me, he will send his angels to help carry on the work.

I am in earnest. I intend that the past year’s experience shall be of no advantage to the enemy, but shall be the means of my salvation; and may the Lord get glory to himself.

I feel a burden of the work, and by the help of the Lord I shall put forth every effort to save precious souls. Brethren and sisters, forgive and aid us by your counsel and prayers.