An Experience of Spiritual Renewal
By Elizabeth Place
From Sr. E. Place to Bro. G. Smith.
DEAR BRO. SMITH:—I will give you a sketch of my experience for a few years past, and if you think it will be an encouragement to God’s tried and scattered children, you may send it to Bro. White. I was converted when very young, yet I was not satisfied unless I could say, I know beyond a doubt that Jesus is mine and I am his. This evidence (in answer to fervent and continued prayer,) God was pleased to give me in the year 1841. For several years I enjoyed the Spirit of Christ. I had severe trials, and heavy crosses, yet by taking up the cross, and continuing decided and faithful, I was blessed of God. But for a few years past, I have to confess that I have lived the most of the time at a dying rate, indeed, and it has seemed for a few months past especially, as if everything spiritual or truthful was becoming extinct here on the earth. I would bow before God and endeavor to consecrate myself, soul, body and spirit to him. Yes, I would resolve and re-resolve, and still remain (too near) the same. Sometimes I would feel for a short time to exclaim, My Jesus is mine and I am his; yet I could not find firm footing as in days gone by, and I would soon find my strength gone, and myself again overcome by temptations; and thus things continued until the first day of January this present year. I spent the most part of the day alone. I again endeavored to dedicate myself anew for Christ. I trust I felt willing to do the will of God, if I knew what his will was; and the desire of my heart was that God would make duty plain, and enable me to live for him. Those were the feelings of my heart for about two weeks. I then dreamed that two men came to our house. I saw them walking from the East, with their arms around each other and were in close conversation, and seemed to exhibit that love and affection for each other that is not common in these days. The next day you and Bro. Holt came to our house. I felt immediately that God had sent you here. Bro. Holt talked to us, you know, from the chart. It was the first chart I had ever seen. You had before this given me a pamphlet called the “Present Truth,” and about a year since Bro. Myers gave me a paper in relation to the Sabbath. I felt it to be in accordance with Scripture, and felt convicted; yet it was explained away by those in whom I had confidence, in this way, that we are not under law now, but under grace, &c; but yet I did not feel satisfied. After Bro. Holt showed the Sabbath, and the third angel’s message so clearly, I did not dare to reject the light, for I felt that if I did, and trampled upon God’s Holy Sabbath, I should bring darkness and condemnation upon my own soul. The Lord enabled me to take up the cross, and keep the following seventh day, and in keeping God’s commandments I find there is great recompense of reward. Yes I feel, truly, that my feet are again firmly planted upon the Rock, not by merely observing the day, but by keeping all God’s commandments in the love and fear of God. When I commenced to keep the Lord’s Sabbath, I was alone in keeping it in our family, and supposed I was the only one in our neighborhood. I have since175learned that one of my sisters kept the same day, and is now rejoicing in the present truth. Her husband is favorable, and I trust will embrace the truth. My mother has since commenced to keep the Sabbath, and is rejoicing in God; and my faith is strong that every member of our family will be brought into the ark of safety. I feel grateful to God that he counted us worthy, and put it into the hearts of his servants to come under our roof. All the arguments of friends against the truth are powerless unless it is to strengthen my faith and increase my courage. O, I feel that I am cut loose from all attachment to this world, its spirit and its maxims. O, dear brethren and sisters, let us be faithful, and pray that we may be moulded more and more into Christ’s glorious image. The desire of my heart is that I may be child-like, humble and teachable, and that my daily walk and conversation may convince those about me, that I have Christ formed within the hope of glory. Your sister in Christ, ELIZABETH PLACE.
Oswego, N. Y., Feb. 26th, 1853.