p. 191 | MARSHALL EDSON by Marshall Edson

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Dec 20, 1853

MARSHALL EDSON

By Marshall Edson

From Bro. Edson.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It has been above two years since I began to take the Review and Herald, and I can say that to me it has been meat in due season.—I believe it contains the precious truths of God's Word: the third angel's message, which is the last message of mercy to this dying world: saying, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation.

When I look back upon my past life, and see the way in which God has led me, I rejoice and praise his name for his goodness, and for the light and truth that has shone on my pathway. And when I look abroad in the world, and see how it is going on in sin, and trampling on God's commandments and his holy Sabbath, and saying that some other day will do as well, or there is no Sabbath, I praise God that the breach in his law is now being made up; that the holy Sabbath has been brought to light, and that his truth has ever found way to my heart. I do delight in the law of God: it is my meditation, night and day, and Jesus says, Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

There is a great blessing pronounced upon those who keep God's holy Sabbath; (the seventh day;) and this glorious truth I believe is drawing the separating line between the righteous and the wicked: between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not. I believe that the Lord has set his hand the second time to recover the remnant of his people, and he will accomplish the work gloriously. I praise God that I am counted worthy to be numbered with the remnant who are keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

The time has come when we need on the whole armor; when nothing but the truth of God will enable us to stand in the great day which is just before us; and, looking for such things as are coming upon the earth, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy lives and godliness. I believe that time is very short; that Jesus' work in the Sanctuary is almost over: soon he will leave his mediatorial position, and take his seat on the great white cloud; and then, he that is filthy, will be filthy still; and he that is holy, will be holy still.

The little band here, seven in number, are still holding on to the promises of God, knowing that they are sure. We are still striving for the kingdom, amidst all the scoffs and opposition of this wicked world.—The Lord has enabled us to stand, thus far, and will if we put our trust in him. I praise God that this world is not my home; that I have got almost through with the troubles and trials of this life, and soon, if faithful, I shall come off triumphant. Yes, glory to God! we shall soon be where the wicked will cease from troubling, and the weary will be at rest.

Your brother, striving for the Kingdom,

MARSHALL EDSON

Ashfield, Mass., Dec. 7th, 1853.