Keeping the Commandments of God
By P. S. Thurston
Bro. Smith: I wish to discharge my long neglected duty to the scattered church of God through the columns of your worthy paper. I accidentally, or rather providentially, heard of the Tent meeting at Mackford in time only to attend on Sabbath and First-day at the close of the meeting. But God sends the early and the latter rain, and I bless his holy name that enough of the retiring drops fell upon my thirsty soul to cause me to act. I then and there decided to keep the Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I had been halting between duty and inclination for about three years. Through the faithful labors of the brethren present and the assisting grace of God I was enabled to break loose from the world; and since that time my path has been like unto that of the just which is as the shining light, and my daily prayer is that it may shine more and more unto the perfect day. Since myself and companion have commenced keeping the commandments, we can say of a truth, It is better to be doers of the word than hearers only. I read in the Word, blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God. The desire of my heart is to lead a pure and holy life that I may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city. I can say with the Psalmist, “O how I love thy law; it is my meditation all the day.” I receive much instruction and consolation through the Review and Herald. May it ever go forth laden with precious fruit, and may the blessing of God rest down upon those engaged in its publication, is my ardent prayer. I pray God to bless those messengers who have already gone forth to proclaim the present truth, also to raise up, qualify, and send forth more laborers into his vineyard; for truly the harvest is great but the laborers are few. Yours hoping for immortality at the coming of the Lord.
P. S. THURSTON.
Marquette, Marquette Co., Wis., Aug. 30th, 1857.