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LYDIA J. BELNAP

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 12, 1857

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 9, No. 19.

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LYDIA J. BELNAP

By Lydia J. Belnap

From Sister Belnap.

Bro. Smith: With feelings of deep interest for the truth of our Lord, I add my feeble testimony. It is now about four years since I commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord our God. And although I have not been as faithful as I ought, yet I feel a strong desire at this time to commence anew to labor in the Lord's vineyard; and my prayer is, that I may live so that others may be led to give their hearts to God. We exert a strong influence over those around us, either to do good or evil; therefore it becometh us to exert a right influence to promote the cause of Christ.
Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians, [chap. i, 10,] says that ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.
Although we are alone in this place, we mean to show by our daily walk and conversation, regardless of opposition from those who profess to love God, that we are keeping all of God's Commandments and have the Faith of Jesus. I believe that there are a few honest souls here who begin to see the errors of the church, and are searching God's word for the truth. O that our conversation to such may be in love and meekness, that the Lord may begin to work in this place to the salvation of precious souls.
We have been censured as trying to cover up the doctrine of eternal punishment, and leave the Bible for the belief of men, by one who professes to be a minister of the gospel. He said we should be led on until God would cut us off from his people to destroy us with the unbelievers; but these things only help to establish us in the truth. Christ tells us that if we live godly in Christ Jesus we shall suffer persecution; and I am willing to suffer it with Christ, if I may reign with him. I mean to try to be an overcomer, that I may be able to enter in through the gates into the city.
Pray for us, that we may shun the temptations around us, that we may be found walking in all the ordinances of God blameless, until the coming of Christ.
Your unworthy sister.

LYDIA J. BELNAP

Crete, Will Co., Ills.