Victory Over Tobacco and Sin
By Mary E. Trowbridge
BRO. SMITH:—I would like to say a few words through the Review, concerning the goodness of the Lord to me. I feel that I was plucked as a brand from the burning. It has been two years since I commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. The Lord has led me out in a way I knew not. I had never seen any beauty in him that I should admire him. I had not been to an Advent meeting. I had never heard any thing but evil reports of them; but now I mean to strive to follow the Lamb through evil report as well as good report; for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. I had used tobacco for many years. I thought I could not give it up. I tried, however, in my own strength, but in vain. I knew it was wrong, and thought I would have to give up the truth; but the thought would come, Will you lose your soul for one idol? One, never! Then I made one more effort in the strength of the Lord, and got the victory, for which I can give him all the praise. I can boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. I thought I was rich because I had given up my greatest idol; I had got hold of the truth, but the truth had not got hold of me. I thought I was rich and increased in goods and had need of nothing; but when I compared my life with the word of God, I found that I was wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I find I have many sins to overcome. It is a daily warfare. It is no small thing to be a christian; but God is good and greatly to be praised; for he says, if we will return unto him he will return unto us and heal all our backslidings. I do desire to be zealous and repent, and buy gold tried in the fire that I may be rich, and white raiment that I may be clothed, and have my eyes anointed with eye-salve that I may see, and understand the Lord's will concerning me. The Review is a welcome visitor. I often feel encouraged while reading the cheering communications from the saints of God. I feel truly thankful to God that my lot has been cast among the commandment-keepers. I never have been sorry that I enlisted in so glorious a cause. I feel that heaven is worth working for; that we have been bought with a price. I choose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. I believe that the last message of mercy is being given to poor, fallen man. O the blessed hope and the precious promises that are laid up in store for all those who love his appearing! I want to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, having my face set as a flint Zion-ward. I rejoice that the church is rising. I mean to strive in the strength of the Lord to arise and prepare to meet the Lord in peace; for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. I want all my sins to go to judgment beforehand. I believe a little from this it will be said, He that is filthy, let him be filthy still, and he that is holy, let him be holy still. "I'll go to Jesus, though my sins
Like mountains round me close;
I know his courts, I'll enter in,
Whatever may oppose.
"The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee." Coughdenay, N. Y., April 20th, 1857.