'Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another.'
From Bro. Abbey.
BRO. SMITH: The subject of the present truth, connected with the Third Angel's Message, has interested me for a number of years past. I have to acknowledge that the counsel of the faithful and true Witness found me in a lukewarm state, and I also acknowledge that I have not been as zealous in reforming since I first heard the counsel as I should have been; yet the Lord has seen fit to bear with me, unprofitable as I am. O the long-suffering and tender mercy of our great High Priest. For a time past the counsel to the Laodiceans has, I believe, been taking deeper root in my heart, and I am led to mourn over my indifference, and my distance from the Lord; yet I feel like holding fast to the promise, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."
I rejoice in the glorious truths that are being brought out through the Review, and by the servants of God who are traveling from place to place to carry the last message of mercy, I often ask myself the question, Am I willing to endure the cold, and hunger, privations and trials of all kinds which they endure, for the sake of the reward which they will obtain? If I am not willing to endure all things for Christ's sake, I am sure that I shall never obtain eternal life. I want to be wholly consecrated to the Lord, wholly submissive to his will. It is a great thing to be a Christian, to be like Christ, so meek, so submissive, so compassionate, so full of love. How he wept at the grave of Lazarus, and over Jerusalem. O the love of the Saviour to a ruined world! the compassion of Jesus to the lost and dying! What tongue can express it? O that I might realize these things in their true light, that I might improve upon them just as I should in order to secure the approbation of God, and finally gain an inheritance in his everlasting kingdom.
The Review comes laden with rich truths concerning the kingdom of God, and our present and future duty to God and one another. I feel very thankful that I have ever been permitted to read the Review. I fully believe that the doctrines it advocates are well calculated to lead the mind away from earth, its pleasures and charms, to follow the meek and lowly Saviour whithersoever he goes. It is my earnest desire that I may so follow the Lamb that I may be permitted to stand with him on Mount Zion.
Your brother looking for redemption.
ALONZO ABBEY.
North Brookfield, N. Y., Dec. 19th, 1857.