ABBY M. LINDSLEY by Abby M. Lindsley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 10, 1871

ABBY M. LINDSLEY

By Abby M. Lindsley

From Sister Lindsley.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Some may remember to have seen my signature in the paper years in the past. I loved the present truth, and it seemed that it was a part of my being. I thought that all the interest I had was identified with it. But alas for me, the trial of my faith came, and not understanding how to trust implicitly in my Heavenly Father, I made a misstep, which by little and little through my long sickness led me into doubts and fears, and finally despair. I felt that God was not just. Oh! the power of the enemy to distract and darken the mind, if we are not staid on God! I wanted to get out of his power, but could not. I felt that there was no hope for me. At times I called to mind David’s words when he said, “I looked on my right hand and behold none to help. Refuge failed me, no man cared for my soul.” He says further, “I cried unto thee, O Lord, I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low. Bring my soul out of prison that I may praise thy name.” Ps. 142: 4, 7. Gradually strength of body and mind returned, and by a train of circumstances I was brought to seek the Lord if peradventure there might be mercy even for me. This was some two months since. He has promised that, “In the day we seek him with all the heart, he will be found of us.” Blessed promise. I found mercy. The Lord helped, and I trusted in him. I am learning the way more perfectly than I ever have before. My confidence in God is again strong. I am trying to yield myself wholly to him without the least lingering reserve, for I realize that to be Christians will take all there is of us. How wonderful is God’s love and compassion toward us! He is not willing that any should perish, but that we come to him and live; but only in his appointed way. It is enough. I yield, I yield. My poor heart is all I have to give. In return I have peace, joy unspeakable, and a hope that I may overcome and sit down with him on his throne.

To those who feel that the way to Heaven is hard and that God is a hard master, I would say, Obey God, give him the whole heart, let self with its affections and lusts all die, and be swallowed up in his will, and you will have such help, such holy joy, as it has not entered into your hearts to conceive of.

I see the message waxing louder and louder, and every one has something to do. It is for us to be ready, not merely to be saved ourselves, but to cast an influence on the side of truth, and come up to the help of the Lord in this fearful time. This is what the Lord wants. He will bless our feeble efforts if we labor in his strength. Some over whom we individually have influence may be reached, if we are faithful and humble, praying much for help from the Lord. And this is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he heareth us. And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petition we desired of him. 1 John. 5 : 14, 15. And Jesus says, If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John. 15 : 7. here, then, is encouragement to pray for ourselves and for one another, doing, with our might, whatsoever our hands find to do for the Lord.

ABBY M. LINDSLEY

Oswego Co., N. Y. Sept. 17, 1871.