CONFESSION AND DECLARATION OF FAITH.
By Angie M. A. Cornell
A FEW days since, I was conversing with a dear brother and sister just from the East, and they were telling me about the good camp-meeting they had attended in New York, when the sister remarked that very many did not understand how I stood with reference to spiritualism; and she thought it would be well for me to define my position in the Review, that all might know my true standing. My own judgment acquiesced in this suggestion; and, by the help of the Lord, I will endeavor to tell you what are my present views and feelings with regard to that which God’s people look upon as a most stupendous error and delusion. As to how I came to believe it, I will merely say, that in a time of great trial and darkness I was thrown under its influence; and, gradually, almost unconsciously, I imbibed its sentiments, until the light of present truth grew dim, and lost its clearness and beauty in my mind. But I never endorsed many of the doctrines of spiritualism, and some of them were always repulsive to me. I ever retained my former ideas of the personality of God, his special providences, &c., which they wholly discard. Among the Adventists, I had been accustomed to union, harmony, and order; but, in the ranks of spiritualists, I found the reverse of all this. There was confusion and contention, some apparently glorying in it. When I found there was no hope for any better state of things, but, on the contrary, that it rather grew worse, I became tired and disgusted, and finally ceased to attend their meetings almost wholly. I stood thus for about a year, holding scarcely anything167in common with them, except the doctrine of spirit communion; and, during this time, I was thrown more or less into the society of God’s people, and the Lord was impressing my mind and affecting my heart with the truths I had formerly esteemed so precious. And so, gradually, as I had been drawn away from the truth, has God in his great mercy led my wandering footsteps back to the true fold and Shepherd. From my childhood, I was blessed with pious parents, and I could never wholly forget their fervent prayers and songs of praise around the family altar, in which we all united. The memory of these followed me, and ever had a restraining influence over me. And though these loved ones now sleep, and I often sadly remember that they had no hope for me when they were laid away to rest, yet, through the mercy of God, I do have some hope that I may be among the first to greet them as they arise, and that together we shall magnify the wonderful love and mercy of God in snatching me from the snare of Satan. God can read the heart, and he knows when to inspire hope, and when to speak forgiveness to the trembling soul, sick of sin and earnestly desiring to return once more to its Father’s house. I am greatly indebted to my dear sister in the flesh and her companion for their timely words of encouragement and sympathy, and their prayers, which helped me much in my warfare with sin and error. There are others also whose memory I shall ever bless for their good words, which gave me fresh zeal and courage to press my way through the darkness, and not rest until I should know that God accepted and owned me as his child, and I could feel that I had the seal of his forgiveness. I feel sad and sorrowful when I remember how I have wounded God’s cause, and grieved and troubled his people, many of whom were very dear to me; and I have never ceased to esteem them. I rejoice to-day in the blessed assurance that I do enjoy God’s pardoning love and mercy; and may I not hope that his dear people will also forgive my wrongs and errors, and pray that I may from henceforth be strong to resist evil, reject error, and cleave to the truth? I have sought the Lord and his mercy with many prayers and tears, and with humble penitence; and, during the past year and a half, I have had some most precious experiences, tokens of God’s favor, that seem of more real value to me than all this world could bestow. To define my position in brief, I would say, I do most unqualifiedly renounce spiritualism, believing it to be the work of Satan to lead astray, deceive, and destroy. While I accept the Bible as God’s word divinely given, and would cling to it as my guide through the perils of these last days, Jesus, as the world’s Redeemer and our loving, pitying Saviour, never seemed so precious as now. Truth, as believed and taught by Seventh-day Adventists, I most heartily endorse; and I am deeply interested in its advancement. And I am striving to get ready for the coming of Jesus, which I feel is very near. May I hope for your prayers, that I may make earnest, thorough work in forsaking the wrong and doing the right, that the city’s pearly gates may not be closed against me when the redeemed shall be gathered home, but that, being washed from every sin in the blood of the Lamb, I may find with them an abundant entrance into the heavenly city.