Conversion to the Advent Truth
By A. R. Smith
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It is now nearly two years since I sought and found pardon for my sins, and received a clear and bright evidence of my acceptance with God. I then united with the Methodist church, and remained in the same until about three months ago. At that time I became convinced of the truth of the Advent doctrine, and immediately decided that I would rather suffer persecution with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. I commenced keeping the Sabbath at once. It appeared to me that I had no time to lose, but that I must act immediately, and not grieve the Holy Spirit by procrastination. In a short time our Methodist preacher came around. I sought information from him, but could get none. He said he had reasons for keeping Sunday, but he did not give them. He said if I knew anything about the prophecies, I knew more than he did. He believed they were mysteries. The next Sunday he saw fit to remove my name from the class book for Sunday-breaking. I am now a member of the Advent church, and a firm believer in the doctrine so far as I understand it. I do desire to do what little good I may in my Master’s name; to improve my one talent, that the Lord may have his own with usury. Above all I desire to overcome my own sins, and become wholly consecrated to God. When I consider my own weakness and sinfulness, and my proneness to wander from my heavenly Father, and to violate some parts of his holy law, it seems as though perfect holiness is something almost beyond my reach. Then again my own experience, as well as the Bible, tells me that God’s grace is sufficient for me if I only place my trust in him and struggle and press on. O that I may be enabled to overcome, and be a partaker of the joys which are promised the faithful, and be numbered among God’s people in the better land, where temptations and trials will be no more. Your sister in Christ,
A. R. SMITH.
Franklin, Iowa.