LETTERS by Mary Fairbanks

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 25, 1858

LETTERS.

By Mary Fairbanks

'Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another.'

From Sister Fairbanks.

BRO. SMITH: I have long felt a desire to cast in my testimony on the side of present truth, and a sense of my own weakness has prevented me from doing so; but I now feel like saying a few words, weak as it may be. And first, to those lonely ones, who are situated as I am, and have not the privilege of meeting with those of like precious faith, I would say, Be of good cheer. Let us be faithful to the light God has given us; for I do believe we have the true light of Bible truth on the Third Angel's Message. How thankful and humble we ought to be that God has not left us to grope in darkness and unbelief on this important truth. In view of God's goodness, let us not murmur at our lot, that we have to go alone, as it were, but rejoice that we are called to go at all. We are often lonely and weary, and by sorrow oppressed, but Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness. My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish. These and many others are precious promises for the lonely pilgrim, therefore let us cleave to the Lord and to the word of his testimony, for in due time we shall reap if we faint not. We shall not always be alone. The day is not far distant when if we are faithful to the grace and light given us, we shall join that innumerable company, and sing the song of redeeming love forever. O, ye lonely ones, if we are so happy as to reach that blest abode, we shall forget the rough lone way we traveled to get there. The Lord help us to persevere to the end of the race.

And to you, dear brethren, whom God has called to work in his vineyard, and labor in word and in doctrine, my heart often sympathizes with you in view of the hard toils and trials you are called to pass through; but the blessed hope is in view. God has not called you to beat the air, but to proclaim his everlasting gospel of the kingdom to a wicked world. Remember the promise, Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. It is through much tribulation we enter the kingdom of heaven. May you join with Paul where he says, 'I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.' You are in a good cause, it is God's cause and he will sustain you in all your hardships. I do not think as some do that you need to work for exercise; for I think when a man has rode twenty-five miles to meet an afternoon appointment, and preached two hours, he has had exercise enough for that day, as our brother says. I rejoice to know the cause is rising in spite of all the powers of darkness. O that the Lord would raise up and send forth more laborers into the field.

Will my brother Editors excuse me for saying a few words to them. I rejoice that your labor and toil is much relieved by the help of the power press, and also for the precious truth you send forth to the scattered flock. I feel I should almost faint by the way, were it not for the Review and Herald which comes weekly bringing the blessed tidings of the kingdom and the prosperity of the cause.

As I was reading in the Review your account of the commencement of the Third Angel's Message, under what trials and privations you engaged in the cause, and see that the present time, I am reminded of our Saviour's parable of the grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which, when grown it became a tree. Has not this message become quite a tree? And bless the Lord, it is growing rapidly, notwithstanding all the clubs and stones men have hurled against it to break it down. You have reason to rejoice to see the truth you advocate spreading through the land.

Our Saviour tells us every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. Where should we look for these things, were it not for the truths brought out by your researches. The nominal church is asleep, and their watchmen are all dumb dogs, they refuse to bark. Therefore brethren, go on, and the Lord bless you in your patience of hope, and labor of love.

My dear brethren and sisters generally, perhaps in reading over what I have already written you will have sufficient reason to think I have exposed my weakness enough. It may be true, but bear with an old pilgrim whose hour-glass has counted off seventy-one years this day. When I look back upon my long life, I see much that I have reason to repent of, but the Lord being my help I will strive with you to overcome the world, the flesh and Satan. The Lord has done great things for us, in bringing us into the present truth and the love of it. There are many who see the truth but do not love it, it is unpopular, but let us strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able. And why? because they wish to take the world with them. We must become very small if we would walk in the narrow path. O let us strip ourselves of this world's popularity; that we may run the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross despised the shame and is seated at the right hand of his Father in heaven. Let us go to Jesus, bearing his reproach without the camp. We who are looking for the coming of the Lord, should cut loose from this world's pride. We need all our time and talents for a preparation for that all-important day. O my soul, how much sanctifying grace I need to stand when Jesus comes to gather his ransomed ones home. I often fear I shall be left in that day; but God has not called us to fear, but to believe and hope. The Christian's hope is compared to an anchor, and if it is cast within the vail where Jesus is it will hold; and the nearer we live to God, the stronger our hope. Not that we merit anything, but in keeping the commandments there is great reward. Let us give all diligence to make our calling and election sure in Christ Jesus.

Your unworthy sister striving for eternal life. MARY FAIRBANKS. Suspension Bridge, C. W., Feb. 25th, 1855.