Your ShelfYour Projects

J. B. MERRITT

13%

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 18, 1858

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 11, No. 15.

Read the full edition

J. B. MERRITT

By J. B. Merritt

From Bro. Merritt.

BRO. SMITH : There are about seventy here that have embraced the Third Angel's Message, and are trying to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. We meet every Sabbath, and First-day evening to speak of the things that make for our peace, and build each other up in our most holy faith. As it regards myself, when I look into the gospel mirror, and see what I am by nature, and what I must be by grace in order to be owned by the Redeemer when he comes, it causes me to exclaim with the publican, "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner," or with Peter, "Lord, save or I perish."
I am trying daily to cleanse myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God. I feel to bless the Lord for the victory he has given me over the use of tobacco, to which I was a slave for twenty-five years. Brethren, let us remember that it is through tribulation that we enter the kingdom, and that the prize lies at the end of the race, and that we must exert ourselves to obtain it. I bless the Lord for the light that has shone along my pathway since I have been trying to walk in all the commandments of the Lord blameless. I realize that the Bible is a precious book indeed, and by the grace of God I mean to follow its divine teachings, to live soberly, righteously and godly, redeeming the time because the days are evil.
Dear brethren and sisters, let us be on our watch-tower, having our lamps trimmed and burning, and oil in our vessels, for surely the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and blessed will they be who when he comes are found ready. I can truly say, that I do not desire riches, nor the honors of this world, but I desire a part in that inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for the faithful. O brethren, let us try to have that faith that overcomes the world, that we may one day stand with Jesus on Mount Zion.
Yours in hope of the glory to be revealed at the coming of the Saviour.

J. B. MERRITT

Gilboa, Ohio, Jan. 24th, 1858.