Preparing for the Lord’s Coming
By R. S. Durfee
BRO. SMITH: I have been brought by the Spirit of God, as I trust, to embrace the present truth after years of opposition to it. I was led to adopt the Sabbath of the Bible about the first of September; but I little thought then that I should ever become an Adventist, or that I should believe any of the other truths that they held; but truly I can say that I have been led in a way that I knew not, for I can see a beauty and consistency in the doctrine of man's condition in this life and in death, in the resurrection, and in the reward of the righteous and the wicked, which I never saw in the belief of man's natural immortality; and I have taken sweet comfort while I have contemplated the near approach of the Saviour. But the preparation for that day I feel is that which should engage all our minds; for it is a small thing to keep the Sabbath, and believe the doctrines of the Bible, unless our hearts are right in the sight of God. We are told that love is the fulfilling of the law. I feel when I consider the shortness of time, and the great work we have to do to be ready for the coming of the Lord, that we should be much in prayer and supplication to our heavenly Father for his grace and Spirit to guide us into all truth; and not only into the understanding of the truth, but to give us strength to overcome the world with all its cares and allurements, and present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. It may interest some to know the circumstances and providences (for I feel that it truly was a direct providence of God) that brought me to see the truth and embrace it. I had not attended an Advent meeting, nor any other kind, since the fore part of June, until about the first of December, when Brn. Hart, Everts, Sperry and Cornell came to Green Vale. I was then there and heard their straight testimony, and saw the spirit of love and anxiety which they manifested for the cause of their Master, and the good of the church. The church began to confess their short-comings and neglect of duty, and the Spirit of God was poured out. It took hold of me, and I felt that it was my duty to look into these things, and like the Bereans, search the Scriptures to see if these things were so; and, as I trust, the Spirit of the Lord shone upon the sacred pages, for, as already stated, I have been led in a way that I had not known, and in paths that I had not seen. The Review, which for a short time I have had the privilege of reading, has been a welcome messenger, and the truths therein advocated are of inestimable value. I hope that I may have the prayers of the church that what I have seen of the present truth may be as the beginning of good days, or as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Yours in hope of immortality.
R. S. DURFEE.
Millville, Ills., Jan. 20th, 1858.