Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 17, 1861

Extracts from Letters.

Sr. M. Palmer writes from Milford, Mich: I want to be ever found in the path of duty that I may be able to render up my account with joy and not with grief. It is not quite a year since I commenced to keep the commandments of God, having been early led to believe that the Sabbath was changed when Christ rose from the dead, and never having so much as heard a question on the subject till Brn. Lawrence and Frisbie came to Milford last fall. My prejudice was very great when I first heard of their being in the place; but after a few evenings I went from curiosity, and to my great surprise the Bible was presented in such a manner that no honest-hearted person, as it seemed to me, could reject the doctrine. The Sabbath question was soon solved, as I could not find anything to contradict it, and since that time I can truly say that I have been rejoicing in the commandments of God and the truths contained in the third angel's message.

Christ's second coming was not such a mystery to me; but I can now look foward to that time with more pleasure than before, and am determined with the assisting grace of my heavenly Father to press my way onward and upward that I may be permitted to stand with the remnant upon mount Zion.

I have belonged to different denominations, and have sought for the pure religion of Jesus Christ, feeling that there was something beyond what the professed churches were trying to attain; and I can say that my expectations are met in the little company of Sabbath-keepers. Prejudice is very great in this place; but my trust is in the Lord who will bring us off more than conquerors through him that loved us. I think I can say that the little church here all feel the necessity of having on the whole armor that we may be able to stand in the evil day, which we believe is not far distant.

Sister S. Sargent writes from Haverhill, Mass.: "I know I love God, and his children, and his cause. I do not guess at it. I do rejoice in the hope of the coming kingdom, and in the resurrection morning, when all the saints on earth and those who sleep in the dust will come forth. Blessed resurrection morning! How this hope cheers us on in our pilgrimage! We shall see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham had the promise because he kept God's commandments and laws. We see the signs fulfilling which denote that Christ's coming with power and great glory is near. The wicked are doing wickedly and do not understand. The 2300 days have ended, and our great High Priest is now cleansing the sanctuary, and when that has been finished he will say, 'It is done; let him that is filthy remain so;' and there will be no intercessor. What a state the poor sinner will then be in! no mediator to plead for him. O, that they could see their darkness and error, and the gathering storm which hangs over them. They will then call for the rocks and mountains to fall on them when too late! May God have mercy on us all, and save all that he can save consistent with his glory, is the prayer of your unworthy sister."

Sister E. Hough writes from Rochester, Mich.: "When I look around and see how fast troubles are thickening around I feel that it is high time to awake out of sleep and gird on the whole armor of God. I rejoice that I have been led to hear the truth as it is in Jesus; and I feel to look up and lift up my head, and rejoice, knowing that my redemption draweth nigh. Since the day set apart for prayer and fasting, I have been greatly strengthened to press my way on to Mt. Zion."

Bro. I. Smith writes from Ashfield, Mass.: "Nearly forty years of my life I have belonged to the Close Communion Baptists. It has been some over four years since I commenced keeping the true Sabbath in preference to the traditions of men. I have been slow to believe all the truths connected with the third angel's message, having been taught from a child to believe in the endless misery of the wicked, and also the conscious state of the dead; but by searching the word of God, and reading some books from the Office, light has been shed on these subjects, and though seventy-six years of my frail life has passed, I rejoice to-day in the light of present truth. I want the tried gold, and white raiment, and eye-salve, that I may see. I would here express my gratitude for the Review, which I hail as a welcome messenger. May it still go forth on its message of love and mercy, imparting light to thousands."