The Nations Receiving Light.
It is well known to many of the readers of the REVIEW that a society exists in New England called the Vigilant Missionary Society, the special object of which is to correspond with those who may be losing their interest in present truth, and with those who may be interested to learn our views, and also to forward to them such reading matter as may be thought beneficial. Corresponding agents have been appointed in this and other countries for the purpose of forwarding to the Society the names of those whom it may be deemed advisable to correspond with, and to report any other items of interest. The result has been that in the six years since their organization they have been in constant receipt of letters from many different countries. These letters reveal the cheering fact that many have been led by this means to embrace the Sabbath, and that there is far more interest felt in the Sabbath reform and the second coming of Christ than we are inclined to think from what we see around us in our immediate vicinity. As many of the letters received are of such a character that they cannot fail to interest thousands who read the REVIEW, we have concluded from time to time to forward for publication such letters, or extracts of letters, as show the progress of this work. As most of these letters are of a private character, not being designed for publication, the readers of the REVIEW will excuse us for withholding the names of the writers. Below is a letter from a sister in Prussia, who is connected with the company of Sabbath-keepers referred to by Bro. Andrews some time ago in the REVIEW. The letter was written in German, but was translated and forwarded to us by a German corresponding agent of the Society. The letter is as follows:— “Your Christian letter of June 20 was gratefully received. It gives us much joy to hear from you, and we regard it as a great privilege to be thus favored. Accept our sincere thanks for your good and encouraging words of Christian love and sympathy. “As you will like to know something from us here, I will try to write a few items. The Sabbath-keepers with whom we are acquainted in Prussia came step by step to the truth. Belonging to the National Church from infancy, as is the case with nearly every one in this country, we left it when we learned of Christian baptism from Bro. Linderman. At that time we regarded every day alike. As the Sabbath question came up my husband and myself withdrew ourselves from Bro. Linderman, and fled with many others. But by the providence of God we were brought to see the Sabbath afterward. As business matters were languishing in the town where we used to live, we left and came to this city. And it so happened that we met our dear sister — here. She is the daughter of our aged Bro. and sister —, who were the first to embrace the Sabbath after Bro. Linderman. Her father died three years ago. He was a very faithful and zealous member of the church, and took care for each one. “A few months after our arrival here, I attended their meetings again, and became converted to the Sabbath truth. Sister — and myself were the only ones in this city who kept the Sabbath. Our husbands were greatly opposed to the truth. This was especially the case with mine. He threatened to send me away because I was not willing to give up the Sabbath. But sister — and myself encouraged each other, and through the word and much prayer we were strengthened. My husband carried out his threatenings until I was ready to leave home, when he told me to remain, and said: ‘I see you believe firmly that the seventh day is the true Sabbath of the Lord.’ Sister —, knowing my circumstances, went early in the morning for Bro. Linderman. He visited us in the afternoon, and many things were spoken of. My husband formerly belonged to Bro. Linderman’s church. He resolved to obey God, to keep his commandments, and joined again. And now he is joyfully keeping the rest-day of the great Creator, and sends love to the dear brethren and sisters of America, praying them to be faithful. “Now one word more in regard to sister —. Being a daughter of believing parents, she was trained up in the fear of God. Several years after her marriage, she was converted. Her husband is until this moment an infidel, regarding the Holy Scriptures as a falsehood and as the work of men. As sister — closes her store on the Sabbath, she has much to suffer from him, feeling deeply for him, that he be converted. She asks an interest for him in your prayers. “Learning of the fact that there are many others keeping the commandments of God causes us inexpressible joy. About a year ago we knew nothing about them, but now we hear that there are many of like faith in different parts of the world, of other nationalities and tongues. If it causes such great joy in this mortal state to hear of each other, although we are separated by land and sea, and although one cannot understand the language of the other, what joy will there be on that day when Christ shall come to gather his children, to take them home where separation will be no more, and where each will understand the language of the other. Truly it is worth while to endure trials, to suffer tribulations, and to strive earnestly for that life which is perfect in bliss and eternal in happiness, which was lost by transgressing God’s holy law, but was redeemed by the perfect obedience of Christ and the shedding of his blood. May we all have part in it.”