DEAR BRO. WHITE:—It is about ten months since I was called out into the present truth. I was a believer in the Bible Sabbath, and had been for three or four years. I first became acquainted with the Bible argument for the Sabbath, by living in a Seventh-day Baptist settlement; but not being a practical Christian, I did not think that keeping the first or seventh day, would make any difference, as long as I was in the daily habit of breaking other commandments; for the same table that says, “Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy,” says also, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain;” and James says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
I was formerly a member of the Baptist church, and was thought to be an active and faithful member of that order up to 1845; but becoming disgusted with the popularity and worldly-mindedness and hypocrisy of professors of religion generally, I did not feel as though I could fellowship such things; but not being established in the whole truth, and starving for the right kind of food, the Devil stepped in with his temptations, and drew me away step by step, until he got me to believe that man was merely a creature of circumstances. I was brought into this view of man’s nature by, or through the teachings of the Orthodox theory of eternal conscious being in misery. I could not reconcile that idea with the mercy and justice of such a God as was brought to view in the Bible. Let me tell you, my dear brethren and sisters, that that very theory has caused more infidelity in regard to the Bible, than any other theory that has ever been taught: it is the mainspring and foundation of universal salvation.
I was brought to a realizing sense of my condition by getting an understanding of man’s mortality as taught in the Bible. My attention was next called to the signs of the times and the soon coming of the Saviour, the cleansing of the Sanctuary and the third angel’s message. The light of truth broke into my mind with such force under this message, that it was irresistible.
There are no others in this place who believe in the present truth, but myself and companion. We meet with the bitterest opposition on all sides. We have had but very little preaching. The most of the teachings we have had, have been from God’s Word and the Review.
The Review comes to us, a welcome messenger. It rejoices our hearts to hear from those of like precious faith. Dearly beloved, I can assure you that we can sympathize with you in your trials and temptations; and let me entreat you to be faithful a little longer; for deliverance is at hand. Oh how I long for that time to come when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption and this mortal shall have put on immortality; [1 Cor. xv, 53;] and for the time when the Saviour shall drink with his disciples of the fruit of the vine in his Father’s kingdom. See Rev. xix, 7; Joel iii, 18. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim.” I am determined with the assistance of God’s grace to go through with the remnant. Let the battle be never so hard to fight and the victory to win, yet I know that we shall triumph; for we shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
I am looking forward with joyful anticipations to the time when we shall be delivered from this sin-polluted world, and be where we can realize the Christian’s hope, that glorious hope that all things will be made new, and everything be of a tangible nature. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people; and God himself shall be with them and be their God; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. xxi, 3, 4.
Yours in the hope of life and immortality as brought to light through the gospel.