How the Sabbath Came to Me
By Mrs. Chas. O. Hall
If any one had told me a year ago that within the year I would become a Seventh-day Adventist, I would have said he was surely mistaken. I was away from home for a time, when glowing reports were sent me of a tent-meeting conducted near my home, and within a stone's throw of the church of which I had been a member for ten years. One wrote, "The community never had such teaching." I promised myself that when I returned home, I would investigate. One thing I have always been thankful for, I have never been afraid of a new truth. I would rather face it now than at the judgment-day. After hearing the truth preached, I dared not let its consideration rest; so I began to study, and had Bible readings at my home. My friends became solicitous; many letters were written me, and opposition literature was sent me, to warn me of the danger they felt I was in. While I carefully considered the question, I knew that it was a matter I must settle between God and myself. He knew I was honest, and so he led me on step by step, until I felt in my heart that the seventh day is the "Sabbath of the Lord." When God found me obedient, he began to clear away the fogs and mists of my brain. I was amazed, and wondered that I had lived so long and never had investigated these truths before. That question was settled forever; but we never take any advance step with God without being tested. In my years of Christian experience I had settled many questions, but here was new teaching on many subjects. I studied them until one night I went home from church utterly discouraged. It seemed to me that all the teachings of a lifetime were slipping away. I almost came to the conclusion that it would be best to stop thinking and go back to the first principles of the gospel. I wept and prayed until after midnight, when God showed me that I was being tempted by the devil. When I saw that, I ceased to be discouraged. I began to ask, "Why is it, Lord, I am so disturbed?" and he answered, "I am taking you8this way, child, that you may be a help to others." I could see that many, coming to the point where I was, would drift into infidelity if they were without a sure foundation. I praised God that he had given me another victory. As I look at myself and the radical change in my life, I wonder if I can be myself. I can more and more see God's guiding hand. A new significance of baptism came to me as I was buried with Christ, and allied myself with a people who keep God's commandments. Gladly do I welcome any reproach or persecution that comes. We are told that they who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But if we endure to the end, we shall be saved. When that time comes, may we be able to say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness."