Embracing the Sabbath Truth
By Eliza Smith
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I wish to relate what the Lord has done for me, in bringing me to see and embrace his precious truth. He has inclined my heart to keep his commandments, his Holy Sabbath not excepted, which, a few months since, I was disregarding. In 1842 (I think it was) I heard a Second Advent lecture; one of Bro. Case’s first lectures, and the only one I ever heard, until about four months ago.—Some six years since, I became convinced that the churches were fallen, and that if I would have the smiles of my Blessed Saviour, I must come out from among them. I accordingly left the Methodist church, to which I had been a member, thirteen years. I met with sore conflicts, and from a source that I did not expect. To be rejected and cast out from the sympathy of a few individuals in the church, whom I esteemed as God’s dear children, and whom I loved, seemed, for a while, more than I could endure. But the precious Saviour seemed to whisper, “my grace is sufficient.” I felt a consciousness that I was in the way of duty, and was blest in an abundant manner. I have ever felt, since that time, that God approbated my course then, and I dare not, at my soul’s peril, return to the church. Still I have felt for some time past to lament that professors of religion were so much like the world, that the standard of piety was so low. It has seemed to me, for some time, that it was no cross to be a professed Christian, and that there must be some separating truth to bring God’s people out. My prayer has been for a long time, that he would, by some means separate his people from the world. I have told the Lord that I was willing (as I supposed I was) to become anything, or be any where, only let his will be done. But when his truth was presented, I was not ready to receive it. Oh, the depth of unbelief in the heart. Last October, I was invited to attend a meeting in Tyrone, some ten miles from my then place of residence. I gladly accepted the invitation, and went without anxiety respecting the meeting, only expected a common religious meeting, and hoped to be spiritually benefited. But I confess I was not a little disappointed, when Bro. Case presented his Chart. My secret thoughts were no food for me this time, and I did not receive much if any benefit. Prejudice was so great, I felt no interest until about the close of the Conference. I then became a little more interested, so that after it closed, by request I concluded to attend another Conference in Sylvan, near Jackson, but had no idea of giving up my first-day sabbath, which I considered sacred, and in the observance of which I had so long been blest. For I verily thought, through tradition, that it was God’s Holy Sabbath. But the time had come for light to break into my mind. And at that Conference on First-day, the sixth lecture, (I think, being the twelfth discourse I had heard on that and other subjects pertaining to the third angel’s message,) Bro. Case presented the subject so plainly that my foundation for keeping First-day was utterly demolished. Still I left the meeting, hoping to rebuild it by scripture. O, the hardness of my heart! It was too humiliating, and I felt that I could not yield the point. I remained in this state, three or four days, continually searching for testimony in favor of First-day; but could find none. Therefore, I was obliged to adopt the seventh day as the Sabbath. But I think I received it more from a sense of duty, than any other reason. I did not feel it a delight, as I should have done, yet I felt a degree of peace for a while in obeying; but in a week or two my mind became darkened, and I was greatly tempted to believe the seventh day was not the Sabbath. In this awful state of mind, which continued about a week, sometimes almost in despair, I felt to cry unto God continually. How justly did he hide his presence from me. But in the midst of deserving wrath, he remembered mercy, and delivered me out of temptation, and caused me to rejoice in his love. And before I was aware, I was clapping my hands, and shouting, Glory to God. My heart was then filled with joy, and peace in believing. Since that time I have not had a doubt respecting the Sabbath, or the third angel’s message; but feel heartily to embrace it, and go on my way rejoicing. But Oh, I feel abased in the dust in view of my unworthiness, my rebellion, and my slowness to believe God’s word. I hope others will take warning, and not do as I have done; but remember the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land. But he that knoweth his Master’s will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. I feel resolved, through the assisting grace of God, to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. My dear brethren and sisters, I truly believe that time is short; yea, very short. It is time for us to awake. God requires us to be holy in heart, and life. I feel a groaning to be delivered from all sin, to be made like my blessed Master. I want to let my light shine, and exert a godly influence, and to be the instrument in the hands of God of winning some souls to Christ. God is good in casting my lot among a little band of brethren, while many of the saints are alone, only one or two in a place. I am privileged with meeting152three times in each week for prayer and conference. If faithful, I expect soon to enter into that city, where there will be no more sorrow. Your sister in the patience of the saints,
ELIZA SMITH.
Tyrone, Mich., Jan. 16th, 1853.