Light on the Sabbath Truth
By Abby M. Lindsley
DEAR BRO. WHITE: It is with deep feelings of gratitude that I acknowledge the reception of the "Review and Herald." Its pages contain the "meat in due season," for the want of which, I had well nigh famished. In reading the Harbinger and attending the meetings of the nominal Adventists I had been striving to obtain some knowledge of our whereabouts, but was unable to get any satisfactory evidence. Brn. Rhodes and Gallop lectured here in 1843. From that time until the winter of 1850, I heard no more about the advent movement. Then I learned there had been a message given to God's people, to come out of Babylon, but did not understand it as having any connection with the other messages of Rev. xiv. Having never united with a church I supposed this was not to me. I did not understand this, that we must "come out and be separate." A flood of light now shines on the prophecies so that wherein I was once blind, now I see. In July last, some pamphlets and papers containing the present truth were handed me. I examined and carefully compared them with the Bible. I found that my former teaching and belief relative to the Sabbath was error. I had all my life been bowing to an institution of the beast. Notwithstanding all the obstacles that lay in my way, I was enabled to obey the Sabbath commandment until the Oswego Conference, where I heard Bro. Holt explain the law and commandments in the New Testament so clearly, that I have not had a doubt since. I saw that we must purify our souls through obeying God's ten holy commandments, and so made ready to stand in the battle, in the day of the Lord. I fully believe that this is the standard to which all must come if they would be partakers in the glory soon to be revealed. Those only who bear the Ark of God will finally overcome. I never realized so fully the duty we owe to God, the maker of all we behold, as since I have been studying what is the good and acceptable will of God as contained in his law. I do feel to thank God, and call upon all that is within me to praise his holy name for his wonderful works to the children of men. I believe the Lord has set his hand to recover the remnant of his people. The Prophet says, "Thy watchman shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." Isa. lii, 8. The Lord will have his people to be perfectly united in the same mind, and the same judgment, that they may possess that strength necessary to endure the time of trouble such as never was. God will be our strength, and his truth our shield and buckler. Yours in hope,
Abby M. Lindsley.
Newhaven, N. Y., April 8th 1852