Encouragement in Present Truth
By M. M. Nelson
BRO. SMITH : I would say to the dear brethren and sisters through the Review, that I am greatly encouraged in striving to do the will of my Master in heaven. And although I am so unworthy, and surrounded with every influence which is calculated to draw me away from God, yet I feel that his grace is sufficient to support in every trial, and I have ever found him to be a present help in time of need. I am led to exclaim with the Psalmist, Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I enjoyed a precious privilege in meeting in conference with the brethren and sisters at Mackford, where the glorious truths of the Third Angel's Message were set forth to that people by Brn. Waggoner and Andrews in the demonstration of the Spirit and in power. The Lord was pleased to hear and answer their prayers in a wonderful manner, in stirring up his people to a renewed consecration to the Lord. The good seed sown is springing up, and I trust will bear fruit to the honor and glory of God. I can truly say that I never enjoyed such great blessings as we did at that time. O that the Lord would still continue to bless, that I may grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I want to so live that I may have the abiding witness that my ways please Go! O what great and exceeding precious promises we have. The word of God and his truth were never so precious to my soul as they55are now. When I look around and see the world going mad after its riches, its fashions and its vanities, and the professed churches so fallen, notwithstanding their professed revivals, and their teachers teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, I am led to praise the Lord that my eyes have ever been opened to see the present truth. How truly the signs of the times portend that the coming of our blessed Saviour is near. O let us be faithful in living out these glorious truths. Let us get on the whole armor of God, for we need it all to stand in these perilous times, and to overcome every secret fault, and every thing that is unlike Jesus. We read that no unclean thing shall enter there. O that glorious home! Is it not worth all our trials and sufferings here, if we may be permitted to enter in through the gates into the city whose builder and maker is God. Yours in the bond of love.
M. M. NELSON. Green Lake, Wis., June 13th, 1858.