The Review, a Messenger of Mercy
By Asa Kimball
BRO. SMITH:—I esteem the Review and Herald as a messenger of mercy from the Most Holy. It is meat in due season and the only source of light to the remnant, except the Bible, that comes through the printing-press. I love the spirit of the paper, and hope it will be sustained. Notwithstanding the great opposition we meet with from a cold, formal church, and the wicked world, I was one among the number who believed in the coming of the Lord in 1843, and heard the Midnight Cry in 1844; also obeyed the Second Angel’s Message of "Come out of her my people." I then left the old church, never to return to it again. While wandering in distress, and almost ready to sink in despair as Peter was—O that Arm! Glory to God—the Third Angel’s Message and Sabbath came up at the right time. My wife and two daughters and self have taken hold of this work in earnest. Thanks be to God for the instrument. Bro. Chamberlain, who now sleeps in Jesus, was instrumental, also Brn. Bates and Barr, who came and pitched their Tent on our land. Great good was done in the name of the Lord. Bro. Barr is now with us, giving meat in due season, and strength to the things that are ready to perish. His coming is a matter of rejoicing to us. I believe the signs of the times indicate that soon the angel will give the loud cry to the one on the white cloud, Thrust in thy sickle and reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe. It becomes us as children of God, and members of the little flock, to be taught of the Lord how to manage our temporal affairs as well as spiritual. The injunction of our Saviour must be obeyed. "Hear him." "Sell that ye have." Luke xii, 33. When? Especially now, when we are waiting to go to the marriage supper. We are also to become a peculiar people, zealous of good works. I intend to hold myself in readiness to obey. Since coming on to the Third Angel’s Message and Sabbath, I found myself in the habitual use of that weed that is so much used by the ungodly. I have now laid it aside by the help of the Lord, as I hope and trust for ever, and thus far the work is well done. The Lord did not bring us out to become defiled. I would recommend to my good brethren who indulge in the use of Tobacco to give it up at once, by the help of the Lord you will overcome. He does not say, he that overcometh shall have right to the Tobacco plant. No, no. Something better—right to the tree of life. I am glad this subject has been laid before us by the Review. It is a subject of great importance, for I believe we cannot be made the jewels of the Lord and indulge in such like habits. We see the splendid synagogues of Babylon furnished with costly carpeting and varnished spit-boxes to accommodate those members who take their Gospel and Tobacco all down at the same time. We cannot serve God and Mammon. I must close, by saying, I heartily approve of the doings of the Battle Creek conference and by the help of the Lord I will assist the dear brethren in their plans to send out the last Message of Mercy to a fallen world. Yours in hope. ASA KIMBALL.
Hampton, Ct.