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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 6, 1856

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 9, No. 1.

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COMMUNICATIONS.

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

From Sister Ayers.

Bro. Smith: It is with hesitation that I take the liberty to address you, being a stranger not only to the brethren generally, but partially to your peculiar views.
About twenty-eight or thirty years since, there was a great excitement in the vicinity where I lived in consequence of the prophecies being proclaimed, that soon the Saviour would return; and that the end of all things was near. Though I was then only ten or twelve years old, the idea of seeing my Saviour so soon thrilled my soul with emotions of pleasure. Though the prophecy apparently failed at that time, the impression remained; and often in my wanderings, my favorite lines would give vent to my pent up aspirations: 'How long, dear Saviour, O how long Shall that bright hour delay? Fly swiftly round, ye wheels of time, And bring the welcome day.'
When Wm. Miller's book was published it was read with interest; though I doubt the propriety or ability of man to fix a definite time. Our Saviour did not think it necessary to tell his disciples, though they inquired; but admonished them again and again to watch: "Watch lest that day come upon you unawares." The prophecies are fast fulfilling, and I have sometimes fondly hoped that I should live to see that blessed day.
About the year 1836, the claims of heaven compelled me to forsake the traditions of men, and "Remember the Sabbath." My motto from a child has ever been to believe and obey whatever the Bible taught me, though the whole world should oppose. Being only desirous of truth, I have tried, unbiased, to bring each new theory advanced, "To the law and to the testimony," adopting such as stood the test.
I have never heard any of your people preach; have not even an acquaintance with them; but I have taken the Review and Herald about six months; and it comes like a dear friend, to call my attention from cares and toil, to look forward to that rest that remains for the people of God.We feel lonely, being separated from all Sabbath-keepers, or those who take the Bible for their guide. How grateful would be the message of love and truth to our hearts, could we have the privilege that some of our brethren and sisters have, of sitting to listen from week to week to the words of life. Why cannot some of our brethren come this way? How can the people believe, that of which they have heard, nought, save reproach and denunciation? Truly that prophecy seems to be fulfilling, which says, "That day shall not come except there come a falling away first and the man of sin be revealed," &c.
Brethren and sisters, let us be careful to maintain an intimacy with the Judge, that we may be found friends and not enemies in that great day of reckoning. Yours in hope. L. M. T. Ayers. Canton, Ills., Oct. 28th, 1856.
Note.—There are various prophetic periods given in the Scriptures which can be clearly located. Events are clearly given which mark their commencement, and hence we can tell definitely where they terminate. Were this not so, they would be useless; but we cannot believe that any part of revelation is useless. Our mistake lay in supposing that those periods reached to the coming of Christ, whereas they only brought us to events which immediately precede his coming; and in view of this light we contend that no one, from any data given in the Bible, can tell the definite time of Christ's coming. We believe that we are now in the patient waiting; and we have this blessed assurance to encourage us, that "yet a little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry." We trust that the "fond hopes" of our sister as well as our own, will shortly be realized in meeting our coming Deliverer, and "beholding the King in his beauty.—Ed.