THE TRUTH PROGRESSES

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 3, 1873

THE TRUTH PROGRESSES.

From a Norwegian lady, who taught school in Norway for many years, and is now teaching a large Norwegian school in Iowa.

I have for many years studied on the Sabbath question—how it was changed—and on the prophecies. How astonished and glad I was when I read Bro. Morton's treatise on the Sabbath in Advent Tidende, and thus obtained light on this subject. I have studied much on the prophecies, and often prayed to God for light. How wonderfully he can answer our prayers. Here I received instruction and comfort. When I formerly asked the priests and others about these things, I always received this reply: We cannot know the day nor the hour when the Saviour comes. This I knew very well, but it was no comfort for a longing heart. But when I was pointed to the signs of the times and the testimony of the prophetic word, which shows that our Lord and Master is near—yes, standeth at the door—this is meat in due season. There are several here who wish to take the paper. May the Lord strengthen all the dear friends who look for his glorious appearing.

LABOR IN THE HARVEST.

Poy Sippi, Wis. I am very thankful to God who has opened my eyes for the precious truths which so long were hidden from me. Through ignorance, I fought them long and looked upon them as falsehood and deceit. Although I did this with the intention of defending that which I considered truth, yet this is no sufficient excuse for me. I therefore humbly ask forgiveness from those who read these lines if I have misjudged or injured them on account of the truth. I have a desire to spread these truths if God can use so poor an instrument. I realize that we need to exercise self-denial and obtain much of the love of Christ to be sufficient for these things. My prayer is that the will of the Lord may be done.

Time is short. Probation will soon end. We have no time to heap up earthly treasures, add field to field, or move to new places except for the purpose of helping forward the cause of God. It is not enough superficially to admit the possibility of the coming of Christ. Our actions must show that we believe from the heart what we teach. Noah preached to the world, but he did also build the ark that he might be saved—all by faith. I admire the faith of Noah. He went into the ark before the rain commenced. I suppose the world mocked and pitied the old fanatic. To be prepared for the day of the Lord is the all-important work assigned to us. As all might hear and see that Noah prepared the ark, so our lives should also be so consistent that all can hear and see that our citizenship is in Heaven, from whence we look for the Lord Jesus.

God has done much for us and given us greater privileges than our countrymen of other denominations in America. We have many tracts in our own language, and a better paper than those denominations who are much older than we are. It is only a few years since the Lord raised up a man among us to preach the third angel’s message, and now we number twelve churches that hold the same precious faith. Let this all encourage us and urge us on to renew our efforts.

I thought it would be well this year to send as many as possible to the Conference to partake with our American brethren in trying to advance the cause. Let us gather all our strength to promote the cause, and not feel that our American brethren should bear the burden alone. Let us with thankful hearts receive the help which they so kindly offer, and in turn do our duty toward them, uniting together as much as possible, that we may return their brotherly love.

Our paper has now commenced to advocate the Sabbath of the Lord, and spreads light on the law of God and the prophecies, not only in America, but also in Denmark and Norway. Fruit of this has already been seen in those who through reading the paper accept the truth; and other journals testify that they are hit in a weak spot as they turn and attack us. Yet every such attack is for the advancement of the truth. The fields are white for the harvest. Let us pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers. J. C. NELSON.