Led Into Present Truth
By Betsey Morse
Bro. Smith :—I never felt more like sacrificing for the truth's sake than now. I wish to cast the little influence I may have on the side of the commandment-keepers; for I am sure they have the truth. A mere form of the truth will not save us. We must have the principle of God's law, which is love, deeply fixed in the soul, so that our entire being, with all that we have and are, may be given up to God; for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. When I look back upon my past experience and view the way God in his goodness has led me, I can from a full soul exclaim, "O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom, and knowledge of God: how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out;" for truly he has led me in a way I knew not of; for I had been taught that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment had been changed to the first day of the week; therefore it was the Sabbath for the gospel dispensation; and I must confess I looked upon those that were keeping the seventh day of the week for the Sabbath, as a poor deluded people, and I verily thought as Paul once did, that it was right to oppose them. I did not read my Bible and go to God as I ought to have done, and ask him for the truth, no, no; for the ire of the dragon was stirred in me. A conference of Sabbath-keepers was to be held at the house of Bro. S. H. Peck, and Bro. and Sr. Ingraham were very anxious to have me go and hear, and then judge for myself; which I did, merely out of curiosity. I was prejudiced against them on account of the bad reports I had heard; but still I believed that some of them were honest, but in an error. But when I heard the unvarnished truth presented out of God's word so clear, from Bro. Burr, Ingraham and Hutchins, O how those words rung in my ears: "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God;" but O how could I keep it when I had said so much against those that kept it. The word that sent the truth home to my heart was quick and powerful. I did not dare to reject it. I felt that it was the truth; but the enemy of the truth was there also. He tried to make me think I had already heard too much, that I had better leave; but the promise of God came to my mind, where it says, Resist the Devil and he will flee from you: draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. I felt the power of God upon me as I had not for years. I believed with my heart and I was willing to confess with my mouth. I could say as the blind man did, Whereas I was blind now I see. My prejudice was gone. I could rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. I could adopt the language of the hymn, "I must be in this band, hallelujah." I am free, and have ever found it good to obey God and keep his commandments, notwithstanding the many trials I have had to pass through. I believe our trials will work out for our good if we only have patience to bear them. My prayer is, Lord let patience have her perfect work in my heart, that I may be enabled to stand here in these days of peril and danger. I am glad the gifts are being restored in the church. I believe they are from heaven, given for the benefit of the church, I hope we shall appreciate them better. My heart is often cheered, and my eyes melted into tears when I read the warm-hearted letters from the dear brethren and sisters, in the Review, scattered as they are in this wilderness world. To them I would say, Be of good courage; hold on a little longer, his strong arm will support you; he will not let the waters overflow you; he is the hope of his people; and he will gather them into his garner. Bear with meekness and patience the scorn, contempt and ridicule that is heaped upon you for the truth's sake. Christ said, Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven. I hope to have with the dear saints an abundant entrance into the Holy City, where we shall be permitted to eat of the fruit of the tree of life, and drink of the water of the river of life, where sorrow and sighing will flee away, and all tears will be wiped from our eyes, and we forever dwell in the presence of our God. In hope of immortality. Betsey Morse.
Wolcott, Vt.