“Down to the River and Back Again.”
By H. N. Smith
A FEW words in the REVIEW of Dec. 30, 1873, from the pen of Bro. White, relative to the goodness of God manifested to our family, have awakened a desire in my heart to render an offering of praise to Him who has done so much for us. When, after a long period of spiritual darkness, we are permitted once more to rejoice in the light, when heavy burdens of discouragement are lifted, and in our Christian experience we exchange mourning for joy and the spirit of heaviness for garments of praise, who shall forbid us to publish the glad tidings, and testify to all around us the wonderful work of God? Thus has it been with us. As I reflect upon the distress and darkness of mind, the uncertainty and doubt in which faith has long been lost, the fear and trembling with which we followed our little one down to the brink of the silent river of death, and contrast it with the assurance of faith and hope, the joy and rejoicing with which we followed her back again to life, I feel that I must and will tell of the mercy of the Lord forever. Though we had failed to walk in the light, though we had murmured and rebelled against God, he had not forgotten nor forsaken us. And while he was preparing us by affliction to receive his blessing, bringing us by a new and agonizing experience to humble ourselves before him, to take a clearer view of our past failures, and most solemnly renew our broken vows, he was at the same time moving upon the minds of those faithful helpers of the church, Bro. and sister White, whose names I write with such emotions of love and gratitude as I can no other earthly names, to come to Battle Creek, their hearts warmed with the love of God and the love of souls, and bringing just the help we needed and desired. As I recall the weeks of their visit here, and what we have witnessed and experienced in connection with their labors, I feel that such a waymark has been erected as can never cease to clearly point our way. And oh! how I rejoice that where I was once blind, I now see; where once I doubted and distrusted God’s loving care and kindness, now I know that he careth for me; where once was a lack of union, there is now that harmony and perfect love in which fear has no place; where once the truth was beclouded, it now shines clearly; and where before I was careful and troubled about many things, I now feel that my heaviest burdens are gratitude and praise. And though deeply conscious of past failures, and fearful of future snares, I can, through the long-suffering mercy of God, believe that not my child only, but my gracious Helper and Redeemer liveth; and in his name and strength the past can be redeemed, and the future be consecrated to his service. H. N. SMITH.