Praise for the Work in Parish
By E. Degarmo
BRO. SMITH: I feel to praise the Lord for the work that seems to be beginning in Parish, N. Y. When I commenced to keep the Sabbath in 1851, I was alone in striving to keep what we consider the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, in these parts; but, praise the Lord! I have not felt to hide the light I have found in the word of God, while I have the Review which comes with the Spirit of Jesus like a reflector to give the word of the inspired writers a clearer light. When the testimony to the Laodiceans came out in the Review, I turned to my Bible and began to compare my life, my daily walk, my words, and even my thoughts, in humble prayer, with the rule laid down by my heavenly Father by the holy prophets, in the precepts of his Son, and by the word and examples of the inspired apostles, and the testimony of the faithful and true Witness to the beloved disciple while on the isle of Patmos, and I found I fell far short of being what I ought to be, professing as I do to be keeping the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus under the Third Angel's Message, and I believing it to be the last message of mercy to a fallen world. I find that I am poor. Will my gold stand the trying test? It will take all to buy the pearl which is of great price. My garments are nothing but filthy rags, to what they should be to reflect the image of my Lord and Master before a wicked, gainsaying generation. The scales are not all fallen from my eyes that I can see all things clearly. I mean by divine aid to arise in good earnest out of this lukewarm state, and buy gold, and white raiment, that I may be rich and clothed, and anoint my eyes with eye-salve that I may see clearly, that I may gain the victory over the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. As to the dainties and fineries of this life, I have laid them all aside that I may have a mite to help send the truth to a perishing world. Simplicity and meekness, humility and patience, with that wisdom that comes from on high, and faith, brotherly love and charity, best become one professing to be a child of God. There are now six of us in Parish who are striving to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, within a circumference of four miles. We meet on the Sabbath. Since Brn. Wheeler, Rhodes and Edson were here last Winter, others have been searching the Bible to find something to prove us wrong, but are giving in that we are on the right foundation, while others mock, scoff and persecute. I feel to say from the heart, Father, forgive me even as I forgive these my persecutors; forgive them for they know not what they do. Since the visit of the Brn. above referred to, three have embraced the truth as presented in the Third Angel's Message, and others are inquiring for light. Praise the Lord for his long-suffering and mercy to this fallen world.
E. DEGARMO.
Parish, N. Y.