A Testimony of Repentance and Trust
By Delinda J. Hitchcock
Dear Brethren and Sisters: Feeling an increasing love for the cause of God, I would not be idle any longer, but would try to cast my testimony for the Lord, let it be never so small. I thought that others were more capable of writing than myself, and I would forbear; but feeling that I love to hear from the dear brethren and sisters, and believing they do the same, I am constrained to write, hoping that it may encourage some who are lonely. I feel that the Lord has been very good to me, an unworthy creature, in giving me a heart to embrace the glorious truths of these last days. Notwithstanding my feeble efforts to obey God, I found myself in a wretched condition, destitute of the Spirit of my blessed Master. But O I am determined by the help of God to repent of all my sins that they may go to judgment before me, and be blotted out while Jesus lingers in the Sanctuary. I feel like making haste, redeeming the time, for the days are evil. Dear brethren and sisters, I want to be a humble follower of my blessed Pattern. I want to remove all the rubbish away from the door of my heart, so that Jesus can come in and dwell there. Though I sometimes feel to rejoice at the prospect before us, at other times there seem to be clouds of darkness over my mind; but I will try to trust in God, knowing he will deliver me from these things if I put my trust in him. I do not expect to go to heaven on flowery beds of ease, no, my brethren, but I am willing to suffer for Jesus' sake, if at last I can have my home in glory. O let us be faithful a little longer, and victory will turn on our side. A little from this and we shall be done with this vain world, and the cares of this miserable life which are so apt to lead us astray from God. We know by the signs of the times that we are living down in the eve of time. Soon probation will cease, the decree will go forth, and he that is filthy will be filthy still. The wrath of God will be poured out on an ungodly world. O solemn thought! O dreadful day for those who have no hope in Christ! I would say to such, whose eyes shall meet these lines, Prepare to meet your God. Now is the time. Delays are dangerous. But on the other hand, O the joys that await the people of God! They will lift up their heads with joy, saying, This is our God, we have waited for him. My heart exclaims, Shall I be there! Is my heart pure? Are my hands clean? I am trying to be one of that number, and by the grace of God I will be. Although it seems too much for such an unworthy being as I am, yet the promise is to such as do his will, and I mean to try to do it, that at last I may overcome and sit with Jesus in his throne, even as he has overcome and set down with his Father in his throne. The church in this place is striving to arise and come up on higher ground, leaving the things that are behind, and looking forward to that glorious morn which shall put an end to all their cares. Delinda J. Hitchcock.
Locke, Ing. Co., Mich., May 1st, 1857.