Bro. S. Gillet writes from Green Vale, Ills., Apr. 23d, 1857: “It is four or five years since I first embraced the Sabbath. For a couple of years I tried to keep it with the rest of the commandments; then I gave up in despair. Being possessed of an exceedingly irritable temper, and strong passions, I thought it was impossible for me to live so that the Saviour would own me for one of his children. Thus I lived for two or three years without God and without hope. I had no pleasure in the things of the world, no hope in the world to come, by despair driven almost to insanity, and tempted many times to destroy my own life. Thus I was when brother and sister White came here last Winter. Sister White tried to encourage me, and pointed out some of the promises. After reading the Bible for a month or so I was led to hope in God’s mercy, and am now endeavoring to keep the Commandments, and striving to get the Faith of Jesus. I sometimes have fears that I shall come short at last. I was much encouraged last Sabbath and First-day as Bro. Hart discoursed to us on the Christian’s hope. I could almost say, This day my soul has caught new fire. His coming here was not in vain. He baptized three. I hope a great deal of prejudice was dispelled by his wise and prudent course. “I have excused myself from writing, on account of my incapability; but the impression has followed me that I might help some despairing one by so doing. I have often thought if I could only know that there had ever been one in as dark a place as I have been; and the Lord had brought him out, I could have courage to try to go forward. “Since I commenced this, and began to call to mind the blessings of the Lord, my heart has filled with love, and my eyes with tears. I have had to go away alone and weep and pray and bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy name.”
Bro. Gardner writes from Vergennes, Mich., June 4th, 1857. “I would say that there seems to be a striving among many to know what to do to be saved. Some are investigating the present truth, but none who live near have decided to keep the Sabbath yet. Some farther off have commenced. My brother’s family, they have started for the kingdom; and they found that they could not be saved without keeping the whole law.”