A Testimony by S. O. James

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 18, 1875

A Testimony.

By S. O. James

DEAR EDITOR OF THE REVIEW: I feel to thank God for the privilege of testifying in favor of his truth as brought to view in the three messages. For nearly three years before God in his mercy turned my eyes toward the light, I had been a poor, benighted infidel, yet, I believe a sincere, one. My dear mother (who now sleeps in Jesus) at length prevailed on me to read the REVIEW and other S. D. Adventist publications, in which the doctrines of the Sabbath, the sanctuary, the coming of Christ, the Judgment, end of the wicked, &c., are so clearly set forth, making God’s blessed book so harmonious in its teachings. His Spirit took hold of my heart, and I was more than willing to accept it. For five years I have tried to live out the principles of the truth, and to obtain true godliness, that I may be prepared for the things that are coming on the earth.

When I hear scoffers scoff, and when I see the terrible declension from piety in these days, coupled with the bitter spirit against the plain scriptural doctrine of Christ’s soon coming, I am the more firmly convinced that the Bible is of divine origin. That worldliness and infidelity are the legitimate offspring of a popular theology which has for its most attractive feature the cry of “peace and safety” I have no doubt.

I may add that before the truth found me I was almost hopelessly, as I felt, addicted to several vicious, soul-destroying habits, such as gambling, using ardent spirits, chewing tobacco, and taking the name of God in vain; from these, and many more, I am now free, for which I praise the God of our blessed Bible.

Yours for the truth, S. O. JAMES.