CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE by O. F. Colwell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 25, 1877

CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE.

By O. F. Colwell

I HAVE been induced by some who are keeping the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” to give the readers of the REVIEW a little of my Christian experience, which I will do as briefly as possible.

In the fall and winter of 1865, I was attending school in this place, and a protracted meeting being in progress north of town and sleighing good, I went out; and in three or four days after, I “came out” in the meeting and soon found joy and peace in trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ.

About this time, the first of February, the Baptist and Presbyterian churches commenced a series of meetings in town, which I attended, and on the 25th day of March, 1866, I was baptized and received into the Baptist church. During the summer I worked on my father’s farm, and in August a Baptist minister at my father’s house asked me if I didn’t feel it my duty to preach. I told him that I did not. However, soon after this, my mind became changed upon the point, and my duty to preach the gospel seemed clear. I commenced that fall attending school in town here, and continued during the winter and spring.

The fall of 1867 I went away to College to Granville Ohio, where I remained during the fall and winter terms. All this time my duty seemed clear to me. I was poor; but God in his goodness opened the heart of an old widow lady, and she gave me a home. But I soon began to feel that I could not stand it to stay in school five or six years, in order to preach the gospel. I became discouraged; and with no one to give me an encouraging word, I gave up, and came home, got married, and until of late, I have been leading a bold, Christless life, with no love, no enjoyment in the Master’s cause.

Last spring a good, devoted brother Mitter, of the Advent faith, asked me if I would read the SIGNS OF THE TIMES if it was sent to me without any expense. I told him I would. I did read, and this fall, God in his goodness showed me the light of the present truth concerning his “commandments and the faith of Jesus.” Oh! the truth, how precious! The word of God is now clear to me where it was dark before! I love to read it, it is so precious.

I feel I must in some way warn the people of their danger. Oh! how glad I am for the light! God bless the dear SIGNS, and bless his people in their noble work. Bro. and Sr. Mitter and Sr. Griffin have kindly helped me along. May God bless them.

I would like advice, and I pray God to show me my duty. My prayer is, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” I am, dear brethren, yours in love of the gospel,

O. F. COLWELL.