Letter from Bro. Gurney.
By H. S. Gurney
Bro. Smith:—Permit me to add my testimony with those of like precious faith. I hail with joy the weekly visits of the Review, which bears such a bold testimony for those portions of truth which ripen the earth for its final harvest. Rev. xiv, 15. It is like cold water to the thirsty soul, to read the spirited epistles from those who are interested in the last solemn message; in which is a warning to flee from the wrath to come! Dear brethren, I find myself sympathizing with those who are searching for the whole truth, and not only to know the letter, or theory of truth, but to feel its sanctifying power upon the heart; the affections being drawn out to lay hold on that hope which Jesus has so dearly and freely set before us. While you are searching to know the position which God would have us to occupy in these last days, my heart is with you. I feel after your joys, your trials, your hope; I feel after your views of truth; I feel after your errors; thus entering into a common feeling. I rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn. I had rather suffer afflictions with the people of God for the truth's sake, than to enjoy the pleasures of a fashionable world. Dear brethren, the union I feel with you is to grow up together into Christ our living Head, and be found in him not having spot or wrinkle, clothed with the righteousness of Christ, to be finally rewarded with an inheritance undefiled, incorruptible and that fadeth not away, "reserved in heaven,"—all safe, no wicked power can touch it. As certainly as Christ is our Saviour it will be given to the pure in heart. Either the Review has been growing in interest since its establishment at Battle Creek, or my interest has been growing in the Review; perhaps both. I feel well satisfied with its appearance and position, and hope and pray that it may continue to thrive in all the Christian graces while it gives "meat in due season" to the little flock. The managers of the Review need our sympathies; while they proclaim the Lord's coming, and are faithful in proclaiming those truths intimately connected with it, they will feel the oppressive hand of the "evil servants" who are saying, "My Lord delayeth his coming." Matt. xxiv, 48, 49. But we trust the Lord will give them discriminating powers that they may continue to give meat in due season, while we administer encouragement by assuring them of our confidence in rendering them that aid which the cause demands. I have been connected with the Advent cause and deeply interested in its connecting truths since 1838. I have often wept over my wrongs and deviations from a consistent faith in those great truths which have been a light to our path to the present time; yet I rejoice that I continue in the love of truth to the present time. But how have the mighty fallen, even those who have been valiant for the truth and while they occupied exalted positions and received the flattery of the many, we have seen and yet see that God manifests himself to the lowly. Here is wisdom. To look above a lowly position is folly and the end is death. God has chosen the weak things of this world to confound the mighty. In this we shall never fail; viz., exalting the name of Jesus, feeling our own weakness and dependence, humbly seeking wisdom from heaven, and magnifying that grace which saves us from sin. I love Jesus: I love his words. How sure and steadfast! not one jot or tittle shall fail. He has said, If I go away I will come again. He went away; his disciples saw the manner in which he disappeared; the angels declared he would come in like manner. We read his words which teach us when we may know that he is at the door. We can point out the very signs spoken of. In him and his second coming our hopes depend. Suppose ye he will disappoint your hopes? Are his words unintelligible? No, verily. He will surely come. The appointed hour makes haste. Your brother waiting in hope. H. S. Gurney. North Fairhaven, Mass., Sept. 21st, 1856.