Extracts from Letters

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 17, 1860

Extracts from Letters.

Sister R. P. Wilson writes from Lisbon, Iowa: “I feel to thank God for his goodness to me in that he has permitted me to see the harmony in his precious truth, and given me a heart to strive to live it out. My determination is, by the grace of God, to keep all his commandments and the faith of Jesus, that I may have a right to the tree of life. While I write I feel to praise his holy name that he has counted me worthy to be persecuted for keeping his holy Sabbath. Our blessed Redeemer was persecuted in the most shameful manner, and are we better than he who suffered that we might have eternal life? O that we may be willing to suffer for his sake, and count it all joy, knowing that our blessed Saviour will soon come and take us home, if we hold out faithful unto the end. Then we shall walk the golden streets of the New Jerusalem. What a glorious thought, to be forever with the Lord! Pray for me that I may stand with the little flock on mount Zion, for the prayer of the righteous availeth much.”

Bro. L. Gardner writes from Osceola, Clark Co., Iowa: “I wrote you to send me a few numbers of the Review for investigation, and I find their teaching in harmony with the Scriptures. I can cheerfully recommend this little sheet to all who are seeking after

truth, as a good guide to piety. It will help the brethren to come into the unity of the faith. I thank the Lord that he directed Brn. Hull and Cornell this way, and that we have heard a few sermons of truth. Though there has never been a messenger within five miles of this place, there are ten Sabbath-keepers here now; and the Review is received as a welcome visitor. With pleasure we read the letters from the brethren scattered abroad, and can sympathize with them in their persecutions, while the cry of Mormon, Millerite, Infidel, &c., is the cry raised against us here. May the Lord help the honest to lay aside all prejudice, and investigate present truth, come out of Babylon, and keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. May we, brethren, be united in one mind, and prepared to meet the Lord at his coming; for he that shall come will come and will not tarry. Heb. x, 37. Let us continue to keep all the commandments and abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. John ii, 28. Be ye also patient, stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. James v, 8.”

Sister L. S. Cole writes from Eaton Rapids, Mich.: “Some time has elapsed since I first felt a desire to write a few lines for the Review. My greatest comfort here below is in seeking the truth, and striving to keep the commandments, and do the whole will of God. I have been trying to consecrate self, and all, upon the altar, for some time past, but fear that the surrender has not been complete, or faith would ere this have done its work, and Christ within, the hope of glory, would have reigned in my heart without a rival. Not far from ten years ago I embraced the Advent faith, and soon (although brought up a Friend) desired baptism; but the way has not been opened as yet for the ordinance, and so I remain; and I have many times thought that there was wisdom in this also, more especially since most of the class with whom I embraced the Advent faith have become no-Sabbath in belief. One year ago last winter I commenced keeping the Sabbath, without any near to join with me. Many about here believe it to be the right day, but for the most of them it is not yet convenient to keep it. Would it be practicable for the tent to come this way, or if not, for some of the traveling preachers to come and tell us the truth? Should they come I want to obey the command of baptism. How glad would I be to join with the brethren and sisters in worshiping God, but of this privilege I am now deprived. Still I am not without courage, or comfort, and soon expect to meet them where congregations ne'er break up, and Sabbaths have no end.”

Sister N. Lowell writes from Washington, N. H. “I love all who believe the present truth and keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. I have the Review to read, and am much interested in the truths it contains, and with the impressive and heart-cheering letters and communications of the brethren and sisters, with which it is filled. I have often felt a desire to speak through the Review, but have neglected it, partly on account of poor health, and because I thought I could not edify any one; but we read that they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. I now feel it my duty to give in my testimony, feeble though it be, on the side of truth. If we cannot write or talk as well as some, we have all something to do to be prepared to meet the Lord. Time is short. We must not be idle. If we have but one talent let us improve upon that, lest it be taken from us. Our Saviour says, He that confesses me before men, him will I also confess before my Father and the holy angels. I am not ashamed to confess him before the world. I am not ashamed to own my Lord, or to defend his cause. He has done so much for me I have great cause to love him more than all this world. He is the chiefest among ten thousand, and the one altogether lovely. I desire to keep all God's commandments and have the faith of Jesus, which I think is to believe in him, and live up to all his requirements. One is to love God with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. Our Saviour says, This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

“I have been a believer in the advent doctrine ever since 1848, and have been striving to keep the Sabbath of the Lord about seven years. I firmly believe that the last message of mercy is now being proclaimed to the world, and my prayer is that many may be brought out by it into the truth. I feel to praise the Lord, and to rejoice greatly that he has been so merciful to us, as to lead my youngest daughter and her husband into the truth, and give them willing minds to come out from the world and keep the true Sabbath. I feel that my prayers have been answered in their behalf. My heart would rejoice to see more of my friends led by the Spirit of God into the truth and prepared to meet the Lord when he comes.”

Sister L. C. Hutchins writes from Ganges, Mich.: “The Lord called me out of the world before I embraced the third angel's message, or had heard it. I had long felt that I needed a deeper work of grace in my heart. About five years since I had been reading works upon the doctrine of sanctification left by one of our ministers, and was led to see the scripturalness of the doctrine, and how far short, not only the professing world came of that holiness without which none shall see the Lord, but how far I myself was. I had ever been singular in my profession and dress, but I felt that God would have a peculiar people, zealous of good works, and if I would be one, I must arise and shake off worldliness. The following winter Bro. Cornell lectured at Newark. I thought it my duty to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good; and so I read the publications, and was convicted and convinced, but waited for others before I avowed my convictions to any one. Meanwhile the Spirit pressed home to my heart the question, Will you keep the Sabbath of the Lord? Will you call it a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable? I resisted, read and reflected upon the claims of the first day. Nearly a year passed in this manner, when ill health seemed to warn me to 'set my house in order,' and I set about the work in earnest. I re-read the publications and laid them aside and took the Bible, determined to disprove them if they were untrue, or receive them if true. Lest I should be found violating God's command I set apart the seventh day for the purpose of investigating. While I was halting between two opinions, dreading and unwilling to proceed alone, and feeling that woe was me if I tarried, unable to pray, because the conflict was renewed, and God's face was hid from me—my sister, Miss A. C. Hudson, came to me; when I presented my views and resolution to devote the seventh day to the investigation of its claims, she joined me; and we have been since endeavoring to walk in all the commandments of the Lord, blameless. I feel that God has been very merciful in giving me some one to go with me, and not requiring me to go alone. My prayer is that God will speed on the message, that the church may arise and come up to the standard of the Lord.

“I have thought much lately of the question in Solomon's Song, ‘Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon the arm of her beloved, clear as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners?’ Surely such will the church be when she truly keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The world seem to shun meeting and conversing with the commandment-keepers. After one or two conversations they will keep aloof and try to injure by circulating false reports, &c. &c. I have thought that those who can present scripture for all they say are indeed prepared as an army with banners.

“I am highly interested in Nos. 1 & 2, Vol. 16, of Review. Think them exactly what is needed by the circumstances; but find when I present the truth, that it seems generally to be only ‘for a witness.’ Yet I will try to labor on content, if at eventide I may receive a penny.”

Bro. B. McCormic writes from Sumner, Wis.: “I have just returned from a visit in Bad Axe Co., Wis. Found a number of Adventists that had been brought out under the preaching of Elders Sheldon and Higgins. They were ignorant of our position on the law and Sabbath. Through the solicitation of friends we gave two lectures on the law and Sabbath, which we think had a good effect. One young man walked eight miles after performing his day's work to attend one of the lectures which was on third-day evening; he manifested much interest, said he was surprised to see the amount of evidence we had in favor of the Sabbath, subscribed for the Review and declared his intention to give the subject a thorough investigation. We gave him what books we had, together with our Bible Student's Assistant, posted him on the no-law and no-Sabbath heresy, as well as we could, and left him with the conviction that he would come out on the Lord's side, and keep his holy Sabbath. Some others seemed to be convinced. Two more subscribed for the Review. We think there is as good an opening for a tent-meeting in that Co. as in any part of the State. Could not the Wis. tent go there this summer? If any of the messengers should pass through that part of the State, inquire at Viroqua, which is the county seat, for C. W. Pitcher, or R. Lamb, Sumner, Wis.”

Sister S. Lyon writes from Elgin, Iowa: “It cheers my heart when I read the welcome-messages contained in the Review from those of like precious faith. Although we never have seen each other's faces, yet we are brought nigh by the blood of Christ, which cleanses from all unrighteousness and the effects of the traditions that have been handed down to us from the Roman apostasy. I praise the Lord that the light of present truth ever dawned upon my dark mind. It is a little over two years since I commenced keeping the Sabbath; and my peace has been like a river, and I can say with the psalmist, ‘O how love I thy law; it is my meditation all the day. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. Great peace have they that love thy law; and nothing shall offend them.’

“I will once more raise the Macedonian cry; Will any one of the messengers of present truth come into this part of the moral vineyard of the Lord. Will not the Iowa tent come to Elgin in its travels in Northern Iowa? I believe there are many honest souls here who will receive the truth with joy. Some here are waiting for some one to come this way to administer the ordinance of baptism. The Review is all the preaching we ever have here. O may the loud voice of the third angel's message reach every honest heart here and elsewhere, is my prayer. Once more I ask, Will not some of the ministering brethren come this way, that the few who are here may be formed into a society, that our united efforts may be blessed by the Author of all good.

“P. S. Can any of the lovers of present truth send me some second hand books or papers to distribute among my neighbors. Direct to Samantha Lyon, Elgin, Fayette Co., Iowa.”