p. 78 | Letters by C. L. Palmer

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 27, 1859

Letters.

By C. L. Palmer

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

From Bro. Palmer.

BRO. SMITH : For the first time I attempt through the Review to unite my testimony with the saints of God scattered abroad. I feel to praise God for his mercy and love, in sending the Third Angel's Message this way. Truly the Lord has been very good to us here in Colon. And when I look around and see my neighbors and friends, who with me and others, heard and confessed the truth, turning away and denying God's law and reproaching those who keep it, I tremble for them, fearing it is with them as it is said in Heb. vi, 4-7, of a class who had turned away from the truth. In view of these things I am led to cry out, O, God, spare thy people! keep them from being tempted above that which they are able to bear, but with every temptation provide a way of escape.

Brethren and sisters, my daily prayer to God is, that he may help us to keep the truth and exercise a living faith, and be united; for then, and only then shall we be “comely as Jerusalem, and terrible as an army with banners.” O let us tread the world under our feet, and hold the truth of God up before the people in all we do and say.

I want to get so near to God and live so like our blessed Pattern, that the world will persecute and hate me for his name's sake; then I shall feel how truly worthless is the honor of this vain world.

The little band of Sabbath-keepers here were much refreshed by a visit from Bro. J. H. Waggoner, who preached to us last Sabbath and First-day. Truly his teaching made glad our hearts, as he gave to each a portion in due season. His visit was, it would seem, directed by the Lord; for a few days previous to his coming, a young man about four miles south of us, had after reading some of our books on the Sabbath, and law of God, introduced as a question for debate at their school house, the following: Resolved that the seventh day is the true Sabbath. The rule of debate was that nothing but Bible could be used as proof. Bro. W. came just in time; for the young man (not yet a Sabbath-keeper,) had sent down to have some of the brethren come to his help; and Bro. W. went, and gave them plain testimony from God's word, and completely overthrew every argument, and inference, and vain tradition which they offered. I hear that some of them are quite silenced about the question, and one man came to me to learn something of our position. I gave him some tracts to read, and with them my prayer that God would direct his mind, and teach him to repent, believe, and obey.

Brethren and sisters, I ask an interest in your prayers that I may be enabled to receive all truth and obey it, and always be ready to give an answer to every man that asks a reason of my hope.

May the Lord direct us all into the patient waiting for Christ, knowing that if we suffer with and for him, we shall also reign with him when he comes in his kingdom. “Even so, come Lord Jesus, come quickly.” Amen.

C. L. PALMER.

Colon, Mich.