Blessings Acknowledged.
By J. H. W.
I WISH to add my cheerful testimony to that of others in regard to the blessed and heart-cheering meetings which have been held in Battle Creek. From the first, it was evident that the Lord had been preparing his people to take a more decided stand for union of heart and action in this sacred work. The return of Brother and Sister White from the West was hailed with unusual joy, and these tried servants of the cause of God brought with them a cheering and encouraging testimony. With all the laborers in the cause there appeared a growing confidence that the Lord is preparing us for a more vigorous, united, and successful prosecution of the work. The business meetings of the Conference were alternated with those more purely devotional, and all were profitable. The utmost harmony prevailed throughout. Those who had doubted were confirmed in the faith, and the distrustful became confident. The preaching was practical and stirring, and the social meetings were marked with deep feeling. Last Sabbath morning, after a social meeting of nearly one hour and a half, Sister White gave an unusually instructive and impressive discourse on the temptation of Christ, its nature, and its object as related to man in his probation. The Saviour, as a present and efficient help, was brought near to the consciousness and affection of the hearers. In the afternoon, Bro. White made some close, practical remarks, after which a large number came forward for prayer. It was a time of searching of heart, in which, we have reason to believe, many made a new start for the kingdom. Individually, I am happy to state that my confidence in the leading hand of God in the third angel’s message was never so strong as at present. And as I “call to remembrance the former days,” I can see only evidences of his goodness and mercy all through our past experience. Goodness too often unappreciated, and mercy ever ready to help in time of need. And in no one feature of the work is God’s care for, and presence in, this work more manifest than in the selection of his own instruments to carry it on, and by guiding them in judgment, and protecting them in trials and dangers. These things are being realized now where there has been only an assent to them in the past. And the sweet Spirit of God witnesses to the acknowledging of his own order and appointment, and is uniting hearts as they were never before united in our experience. And we are sure that the real lovers of this cause will hail with great joy this indication of a revival of pure religion in the increase of brotherly love. But while new hope and new courage are ours to enjoy, and new resolutions have been formed, there has been no spirit of exultation—no “shout in the camp.” We realize that the faithful and True Witness testifies of us that we are far from being complete in the sight of God. We have not already attained, but we are reaching forward. The blessings which God has graciously vouchsafed to us during the past few weeks are not so much the evidences of victory gained, as the armor by which we hope to gain victories in the future. When we enjoy the salvation of God; when he lets the hallowed influence of his Spirit rest upon us, and shuts us in with himself, it is not that we may boast of our standing or rejoice in our graces, but that we may serve him to greater acceptance; that we may teach transgressors his way, and bring glory to his holy name. J. H. W.