Your ShelfYour Projects

COMMUNICATIONS

14%

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 1, 1857

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

Read the full edition

COMMUNICATIONS.

By N. G. Sanders

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."

From Sister Sanders.

BRO. SMITH:—I read the Review with interest; but I cannot say that I do with the same interest that I did two years ago. I am striving to overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. The evidences of the near coming Saviour, remain the same; the evidences of life through Jesus, the same; the obligation to remember the Sabbath to keep it holy, and the necessity of the transgressor's having also the Faith of Jesus. But when I look for a people whom I think worthy to be called the church of God, I do not find any. I see inconsistencies in the faith and practice of both branches of the Advent people, and I thank God that salvation or his favor, does not depend on believing whatever peculiar ideas either of them may hold; that his word is in our hands in language that we can read and understand for ourselves. I dare not be led by man; neither dare I trust to visions which I honestly think contradict the word of God. I have been severely tried by the bickering strife and disunion among Adventists, and I cannot see that it looks any better in one branch of the church than the other. Politicians assail the personal character of members of the opposite party; so do professed ministers of the gospel. Well, so far they are not like their Master; but I suppose they are but men and must be saved or lost on the same conditions as the flock over whom they would bear rule.
O how earnestly I wish I could find a body of Christians where the love of God would run from heart to heart, subduing pride and vain glorying, and bringing every thought into subjection to the will of God. But alas for earth's inhabitants, I never expect to see them thus obedient to the King of heaven. It does seem to me now that true Christians are few, and like to be more so still.
The Review has been very irregular the past volume. Several times I have concluded it was stopped. I enclose one dollar for the past. You may for the present discontinue it. I would like it, for I wish to hear what they are doing; besides, there is much in Review which I deem profitable to read; but I cannot fall down and worship, or say that I could not live without it. It sometimes looks to me as though God had let darkness upon the people that they might learn not to worship men or papers. I may send for it again; but for the present I cast myself at Jesus' feet, and ask to be saved from error in every form. And if it is possible that any body of professors are owned of God, I hope in time that they may shine forth, so that I may recognize them. If each must stand alone, God's strength is sufficient for all.
Your sister in the hope of the gospel. N. G. SANDERS. Fond du Lac Co., Wis.