Pierce’s Conversion to Present Truth
By Stephen Pierce
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Something less than a year since, the present truth was brought to us. We were then members of the Baptist Church, in a backslidden state, into which we had fallen, for the reason, that we did not receive our portion of meat in due season, and could find no truth applicable to the time, except 2 Tim. iii, 1—5, hence, you will see, we were not in the second angel’s message. Still, for those seven years, to us there has not been a more palpable truth, than that the churches had fallen. But what that gloomy condition of things did portend, we found no means to know, except the scripture above quoted: or by what means to extricate ourselves we could not tell, till mercy came by the present truth. I was led to investigate, and I feel somewhat happy in the reflection that my mind was thus led to see whether these things were so. For the gold of divine truth had, for years previous begun to grow dim; and the fearful conviction began to rest upon the desponding mind, that without some concealed truth to justify the past, and throw light on the present and future, the blackness of darkness must settle down upon the soul forever. I began to fear that the Bible had lost its power essentially to benefit men. But, thank the Lord, he had one truth in reserve to fill the dreadful void, the proclamation of the third angel, Rev. xiv, 9—12, adapted to this time, as Noah’s message was to the Antediluvians, and as Lot’s was to the Sodomites. For as it was in the days of Noah and Lot, so also shall the coming of the Son of man be. There was a truth, especially adapted to each of those times respectively, as there is also to the present time. The previously forbidden idea, or then obsolete truth, now occurred with great sweetness to my mind; that “the well instructed scribe bringeth forth out of his treasure, things new and old.” And by searching into that class of truths connected with the third angel’s message, I have found this declaration to be verified. For years past I have heard but little, excepting old theories, and those mostly detached from the doctrine of the resurrection and second advent; so, as to shun, as it is sometimes called, the delusion of Millerism.—But if I am not under a great mistake, all the truths that can be drawn from the Bible, after rejecting the doctrine of a literal resurrection, as some have done, are not sufficient to sanctify the soul. In proof of this, see 1 Cor. xv, 13—18, inclusive. The evidence is truly overwhelming, that almost the whole of prophetic inspiration concentrates at one, or the other, of two great and important points; the first and second advent of our Lord. As those who rejected the first advent, must die in their sins, so must those who reject the second, meet a similar doom.—Matt. xxiv, 48—51. I feel constrained to express something of my gratitude for what the Lord has done for me and mine, in sending to us this last message of mercy. We would give heed to it as unto a light shining in a dark place. It is a truth that answers all the queries, and reconciles all the difficulties which previously existed in my mind relative to the advent faith. It seems to be as a beacon on an unknown dangerous coast, of which, till now, I have had no beacon, chart, or pilot. It points out a way of escape from the apostasy and delusion of the last days, and leads us to the foundation of prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Yes, it truly is the key to unlock the store-house of all those truths adapted to the present apostate age, which awfully foretokens the immediate approach of that day of dreadful wrath which awaits the world. I am scarcely able to express my thanks for what the Lord has done of late for my dear companion, who for many years has waded in darkness, and recently for some months in despondency or despair, but now is restored in a good measure to that peace, which a love for God’s law imparts, and that hope which the faith of Jesus inspires. Hallelujah to God! “He hath helped his poor servants in remembrance of his mercy.” “He hath filled the poor with good things, but the rich he hath sent empty away.” I would say in conclusion that the word of God, especially the promises, never appeared so sure, or surrounded with such a halo of glory as since having embraced the third angel’s message. It truly appears, as Christ’s own expression would intimate, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away,” to be more firm than the pillars of heaven. Yours in love of the truth, STEPHEN PIERCE. Roxbury, Vt., Jan. 3d, 1853.