Embracing the Third Angel’s Message
By Mary E. Wagner
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel that the Lord has impressed upon my mind the duty of addressing you through the Review. I first heard the Third Angel's Message from the lips of Bro. Cornell, one year ago last August. It did not then find a resting-place in my heart. I thought it did not concern me; that I could live a christian life without embracing it. But the more I read God's word, the more I felt that it was truth; that I could not be saved unless I obeyed it. But I delayed until last May. I knew if I embraced the truth that I should be forsaken by friends, and have to suffer much persecution. I read in the word of the Lord that all who lived godly in Christ Jesus should suffer persecution. I have realized this. But when I put my trust in the Lord I feel that his grace is sufficient for me. I am trying to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I expect to meet with trials and opposition now. I believe that the christian life is a continual warfare through to the end. I want to be willing to suffer with Jesus that I may rejoice with him. I am now deprived of the privilege of meeting with those of like precious faith; but I do not feel discouraged, for the Lord has promised never to leave nor forsake his children. I know that I must watch and pray lest I enter into temptation. We need much of the Spirit of God to stand alone in these perilous times. When I think of the straitness of the way to eternal life, I sometimes feel that I cannot go through; but I have resolved to strive to enter in at the strait gate. Eternal life is worth striving for. It is not like this life, full of sickness and sorrow. There tears will be wiped from off all faces. I have afflictions to pass through, but I believe they bring me nearer the Lord. These light afflictions which are but for a moment work out for us a far more exceeding, and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. There is nothing in this world for which I want to live, but to prepare to meet the Lord when he comes. I thank my Heavenly Father for giving me something to bear for his Son's sake. I want to rejoice when I am made a partaker of Christ's sufferings. I realize more sensibly every day that we are living in the last days. Everything around us shows this; besides the word of God teaches it. Wicked men and seducers wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Satan is working with all power and signs and lying wonders. In view of what is coming upon the earth I tremble, and wonder if I shall be kept from falling. I feel like crying mightily to God for aid that I may be able to stand. O I do feel thankful to God for his holy word to read, which tells us what we must do to have shelter from his wrath that is soon to be poured out upon the wicked. I want to get on the whole christian armor. I want to set my affections on things above, not on things on the earth, and to run with patience the race which is set before me. I rejoice that I have heard the present truth; that I did embrace it. I believe that those who reject it are left in darkness. Dear brethren and sisters, let us arouse and realize the solemnity of the times in which we are living. Let us come to the help of the Lord against the mighty. We are frowned upon by the world; especially those having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. This is evidence that we are right, or have the truth. Jesus says, Marvel not my brethren if the world hate you. It hated me before it hated you. Let us be willing to sacrifice everything for eternal life. May this blessed hope buoy our spirits up while we are traversing these low grounds of sorrow. There is a vast prize at the end of the race. Let us so run that we may obtain. We have many precious promises upon record for our encouragement. O let us be up and doing. Let us not sleep as do others; but watch and be sober. If we have Jesus for our friend, whom have we to fear? He is the one that "sticketh closeth than a brother." What an exalted privilege, that when we feel worn down by the cares and afflictions of this life, we can approach the great Creator of the universe and ask him for help and strength. Dear brethren and sisters, I ask an interest in all your prayers, that I with you may keep all the commandments of God, and have a right to the tree of life. Columbus Grove, Putnam Co., Ohio, Jan. 15th, 1859.