p. 111 | The Sealing Time by John Hamilton

Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Mar 23, 1852

The Sealing Time

By John Hamilton

From Bro. Hamilton.

MY DEAR BRO. IN CHRIST, J. WHITE, AND OTHERS OF LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH: I take the liberty to address these lines to you, that you may know that there are in this place a few that sigh and cry for the desolations of Israel, and are striving to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And we hope to join in the singing of the "new song," with the 144,000, having the seal of God in their foreheads. We feel that the sealing time is passing, and God's people are being sealed, that they may stand in the day of trouble.

We feel to praise God that he guided his servants this way with the last message of mercy. It first came to us by Brn. J. N. Andrews and H. Edson. The truth caused some of God's children to tremble, and they began anew to search the Word, and found much evidence for the seventh-day Sabbath. But opposition came like a flood, and caused some to stagger, but not to turn about. No, bless the Lord.

Then Bro. Edson came, and strengthened the feeble hands that hung down, and one "Mary" chose that good part that I trust will not be taken from her.

Then on the 20th of the present month, directed by the Spirit of the living God, came Brn. J. Bates and H. Edson and expounded to us the word of God more fully, and Bro. and Sr. Miller, and myself and wife are rejoicing that we have, in this eleventh hour, learned that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and that he has never changed nor altered it. And that we cannot be found keeping the commandments of God, and leave out or violate the fourth. The last two Sabbaths we have tried to keep according to the commandment, and we feel that in keeping them there is great reward.

Dear Brethren and Sisters, pray for us that our loins may be girt about with truth, and our lamps burning, and that we may be found waiting for our Lord when he shall return from the wedding. Oh, ye tried ones of our Saviour, you know what we are passing through, while, by the power of truth, we are compelled to take a stand, and embrace views that are opposed by those we dearly love, and who profess to be looking for the Saviour; but he tells us, if we love father or mother, brother or sister more than him, we are not worthy of him. May we all be overcomers, that we may be clothed in white, and that our names may not be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life. Are any of our dear brethren that are keeping the Sabbath, traveling this way, I hope they will remember where we live, and call and see us.

I wish you to continue to send me the "Review and Herald." We have received two numbers of late. Before that, it had stopped, I know not why.

Yours in the strong bonds of Christian love, waiting for redemption, when Jesus shall come. JOHN HAMILTON. Fredonia, N. Y., Feb. 29th, 1852.