Rejoicing in Present Truth
By Marcia S. Avery
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I hardly know how to keep silent, when the Lord has so greatly prospered us in this Western Country. O, what great things he has done for us here of late. My soul is filled with love and gratitude to him, for his manifest goodness towards us. It is with sensations of pleasure that I read, through the Review, the heart-cheering and strengthening letters of so many dear children of our Father. The Lord is truly good; yes, he is faithful and true. With a thankful heart, I trust that I deeply appreciate the goodness and tender mercies of our Heavenly Father, in showing us the true light as it is in his Word. Almost our entire neighborhood are all rejoicing in the present truth; and O, what unity and peace, here, prevail. We are all united in Christ our head, and happy, and rejoicing in the Lord, and he is frequently adding to our numbers, praise his name. How refreshing are our meetings every Sabbath. We love to meet together, and our Saviour blesses us, I humbly trust, with his glorious presence. I do rejoice that I have been called to take a full view of the commandments, and to see that ten instead of nine, shine forth as clear now, as in the ancient days of Moses. How beautiful they all are. O, what a delight to observe them all. How great the blessing mankind received, when the All-wise Jehovah conferred on them, the blessed gift of his hallowed day.—I do delight in the peaceful, sacred hours of his Sabbath. How welcome, and how needful to the weary soul, is this holy Rest-day, that we can devote its hours to meditation and prayer. I feel to regret that so much of my life has been spent in trampling upon and desecrating his commands, the fourth in particular, but the sincere prayer of my heart is, that my future, daily walk may be in the paths of truth and righteousness, and that the many misdeeds of the past, may be forgotten and forgiven. By the aid of my Father, I am determined henceforth, to live nearer to him, willing and happy to endure the bitter contempt and scorn of this cold and deceitful world for his name's sake. Yours in the love of the commandments of God, and the hope of eternal life, at the soon coming of his Son,
MARCIA S. AVERY.
Locke, Mich., Apr. 4th, 1853.