LAURA C. TOLHURST by Laura C. Tolhurst

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 20, 1859

LAURA C. TOLHURST

By Laura C. Tolhurst

From Sister Tolhurst.

BRO. SMITH: I desire to write through the Review to the brethren and sisters who wait for the appearance of our blessed Master, looking forward to the time when our captivity shall be turned, asking you to remember especially those who are called to stem the tide of opposition to the precious truths brought to light in the first, second and third angels' messages, without one earthly help or encouragement. I feel confident that all who are called to walk thus will join with me in the earnest request that incense from the golden censer may smell a sweet savor before the Lord of Sabaoth in behalf of those who are striving to overcome without the aid of brethren and sisters to cheer them on their way; whose lots are cast remote from Sabbath-keepers, and do not get the Review but once in two or three months, thus struggling amid trials, with the cause near and dear to their hearts. Satan full well knows the position of such, and does all in his power to overthrow them. With sin within, temptation and opposition without, the natural consequence is a lack of faith, and thus we are led into a place where all our help must come from Israel's God. Brethren and sisters, will you please remember us?

It is almost ten months since I commenced keeping the Sabbath. All has not been as I hoped it would be. God knows what is best for me, and will teach me to look entirely to him for help, that thereby I may learn my own weakness. God has bestowed upon me a great blessing in permitting me to see clearly the light upon the first, second and third angels' messages. I look behind; all is light. I look into the future; all is plain and sure as regards the work of God, and Christ's coming kingdom. Woe to me if I reject such great light. Better would it have been for me to have remained blind and deaf, like those around me. I do feel to cry mightily unto the Lord for grace and strength to overcome. An inheritance in the earth made new is all that can satisfy my spirit. Well do I know and see that favor with the world, and those who profess to be keeping the commandments of God, is lost. They seem to pity me as one that is led astray by every wind of doctrine. I do feel the force of the words, I'm a pilgrim and I'm a stranger.

To all the lonely ones I must say, Let us lift up our heads, knowing that the "trial of our faith is more precious than gold," and strive to attain to that frame of mind that trials will be sweet, knowing that in this way we are to be purified and made white. I have had some of these comforting feelings for the last two or three months. By the eye of faith I have been enabled to look beyond the trials of the moment to the time when this mortality shall be clothed with immortality, and such an inheritance in view, as a mansion in heaven, the company of saints and angels, in the presence of my Creator and Redeemer, is cheering. The prospect is so bright that sometimes the traveler forgets the trials by the way.

I write this letter, feeling that the lonely ones in an especial manner need the prayers of the brethren and sisters. It seems as if the powers of darkness were combined to overthrow me at times. But God is my helper, all my strength must come from him. God is a faithful promiser. The words found in Isa. xix, 20, have strengthened me. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter; should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy name!

Yours in hope of meeting with the blood-washed company around the throne in heaven.

LAURA C. TOLHURST

Columbia, Ohio, Dec. 20th, 1858.