EXPERIENCE by Rebekah Whitcomb

Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Dec 23, 1851

EXPERIENCE

By Rebekah Whitcomb

From Sister Whitcomb.

DEAR BRO. WHITE: My heart was much cheered by the receipt of your paper last night, and by the many and excellent testimonies to the truth, which it contained. I have read many of my own thoughts and feelings in the letters from the brethren and sisters. I have thought of writing a brief history of the dealings of God with me for a few years past: perhaps it might help to cheer and strengthen, some of the scattered, lonely ones of the flock.

EXPERIENCE.

In 1838 a book published by Wm. Miller on the second coming of Christ was put into my hands with a request that I would read it and give my opinion concerning it. I read it and it seemed to me to harmonize with Scripture, and my heart was prepared to receive it as truth, but when I mentioned the subject to some of the leading members of the church and to the ministers, I found that their views of it were far different, instead of rejoicing, in prospect of the speedy appearing of their professed Lord and Master, they were for putting it at a great distance, and pretended to regard it as dangerous error. This damped my joy greatly, but I still loved the doctrine, and secretly hoped it was truth, but I did not get another ray of light on the subject, till 1843: then I learned that there was great interest in many places, but we had no preaching in our place on this subject, and both ministers and people were generally united in speaking against it. Through this year I obtained two or three numbers of the "Signs of the Times." They contained "hidden manna" for me, my soul was filled with the "blessed hope." In the spring

of '44, hearing that a neighbor not far distant had the "Advent Herald" I requested the privilege of reading it. Her husband had forbid its coming into the house and we had to send to the Post Office about three miles distant, and therefore could not obtain them only once in several weeks, but I had the reading of most of them through that year, and it was sufficient to establish me in the truth. I had no inclination to hear any other preaching and therefore kept aloof from the church. In the spring of 1845 we removed to the little village where we now reside. Here the "Bible Advocate" was sent me: but it did not contain what I needed, and what I desired, and I saw that darkness was coming over those who were once in the Light. I saw that the spirit of the paper was greatly changed; my soul mourned in secret for further light.

In the summer of 1847, I first became acquainted with Bro. Joseph Bates, that faithful servant of Jesus, from him I received my first light on the Sabbath truth. On a careful investigation of the subject, I saw that the only Sabbath of the Bible, was the seventh day; and therefore joyfully embraced it. Here also I got new light upon other truths. I likewise was baptised by him. This was a new era in my experience. My relatives in this place who are most of them in the church, some of them leading members, were all scorners of the "Blessed Hope" and from them, my bitterest persecutions have arisen. The ministers in this town and vicinity, have joined hands with them fully in this work. As they could bring no scriptural argument to overthrow my faith, and as they acknowledged that they had no accusation to bring against my character, they were obliged to call me insane, as the only means of getting rid of the subject. But though they called me insane, they treated me as tho' they believed me rational; frequently visiting me, leaving no means untried, to seduce me from the way of truth, and win me back to the fallen churches! I can fully attest to the declaration of the Prophet. "O Israel thy prophets are like the foxes in the desert"! I have seen much of their cunning disposition, and of the many and different positions they would take to overthrow the truth, and which if true, were equally as destructive of their own teaching, as they were of the truth. But in all my sore conflicts with them, my soul has leaned on God alone, and he has wonderfully sustained me! On such occasions, he has filled me in a peculiar manner with his Spirit, and with his Word, so that I have been able to triumph over all opposition, and go forward with renewed strength, rejoicing in God, and joying in the God of my Salvation. And when I now review the wonderful manner in which God has led and sustained me for five years past, while I have been living entirely alone, amidst the bitterest hatred and opposition to the truth, my soul exclaims, "O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together." "For I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." "Blessed are all they that trust in Him." God knows just what his people need to prepare them for the kingdom: and he will not suffer them to have one trial too many. "When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Every trial which I have had, instead of weakening my faith, has strengthened it, and enabled me to go forward with fresh zeal and courage. I know it is all of the Lord, and I bless his holy name. "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in him will I trust." "He shall cover thee, with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust, His truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Dear brethren and Sisters, go forward rejoicing in God, who is your strength and your salvation. "Lift up the hands that hang down, and confirm the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet." Consecrate all to God: there must be a full sacrifice! He will accept of nothing less. Said Jesus, "whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." O ye, who have this world's goods and see your brethren have need, and shut up your bowels of compassion, how dwelleth the love of God in you?

Some are in want of temporal things, and many are starving for the truth, will not Jesus say to you? "Inasmuch as ye did it not to the least of these my brethren, ye did it not unto me." I never realized so fully, how holy, harmless and undefiled we must be, as since I attended the conference at Washington, and witnessed the visions God gave there. I see that the little remnant who are to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord, must be holy, as no other people ever were, to live in the sight of a Holy God, without an Intercessor. This has led to deep searchings of heart with me, and to inquire with trembling, shall I be able to stand? We shall need on the whole armor, our hearts must be purified by obeying the truth, then God will pour out his spirit upon us, and we shall be able to stand.

My husband wishes me to say to you, that he was fully convinced of the truth of what he heard at Washington, and means to live up to the light that he has received. The meeting did much for him, but such souls peculiarly need, the frequent preaching of the Word, and to attend meetings where the Spirit and Power of God is manifested. The day of the Lord is just upon them, and they have but just begun to realize it. The enemy is ever ready to catch away that which is sown in their hearts. God help his people as they have need. Your sister in Christ, REBEKAH WHITCOMB. Munsonville, (N. H.), Nov. 30th, 1851.