C. LAWTON by C. Lawton

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 25, 1859

C. LAWTON

By C. Lawton

From Sister Lawton.

Dear Brethren and Sisters: I often feel it would be a relief to me, as well as a privilege, to speak out my feelings to the dear people of God. But I have such a sense of my ignorance and unworthiness, I have refrained from writing as often as I should if I felt capable of expressing my feelings, and for fear I may be thought too forward by writing so often. But what a privilege, dear brethren and sisters, we enjoy in speaking to each other through the Review. We can tell of our joys and our sorrows. Then we shall know when to weep with those that weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice. And if we enjoy much of the Spirit of our master, we can comfort, encourage, and strengthen each other in the narrow way.

Oh how I wish that each member in the Advent church were filled with the life and power of godliness; that we all possessed in heart, and carried out in our lives, the true spirit of holiness.

Dear brethren and sisters, is the line of distinction drawn as closely as it should be between us and the nominal churches? We make a much higher profession than they. God in mercy has given us light on his word; and through that light the standard has been raised high; and if we live up to it, there will be seen a very plain distinction between us and other churches; for they have become so conformed to the world that the majority, at least, cannot be known from the world. But we profess to be a peculiar people, separate from sinners; for if we are the people of God we must be separate from the world; and the truths we have embraced, if lived up to, will draw a line between us and them. They expect to see us far in advance of them in spirituality. Said a minister to me when I first came into the truth, "According to your views, you should enjoy much more religion than we, but I cannot see as you do." He knew but little, however, of the Adventists. I believe that as a people we have more truth and are living up to it nearer than any other people. I do not speak thus boastingly; for I do not feel like boasting; but I feel humbled and distressed on account of our lack of faith and spirituality.

I was glad to see Bro. Hutchins speak out in regard to our measuring ourselves among ourselves. I have felt for sometime that we were becoming too much inclined to this. Oh let us beware. How many I have seen in the M. E. Church, to which I belonged before I became an Advent believer, that have fallen in this way. They looked up to those who professed high attainments in religion; for they thought it would be safe to follow them. But why should we do so? We have our true standard and pattern to go by. It will be safe to go by this. I fear we are not as dead to self and the world as we should be; if we were, we should not wish to conform to it in our dress, or gratify our appetite by indulging in that which is sinful and filthy. A desire to conform to the world if not restrained and driven out of our hearts, will soon drive out all our spirituality and we shall be left destitute of vitality. I know this is an individual work. For ourselves we stand or fail; but God will have a pure church, and his people will yet see eye to eye. I believe there will be a rallying to the standard soon. God will not permit us to remain half hearted and undecided long. The work is the Lord's and it must go forward. The 144,000 will be sealed. The loud cry will soon be heard and God will work with power in our midst.

Dear brethren and sisters, if we are to go through with the remnant and enjoy the refreshing from the latter rain, we must get ready soon. There must be a spirit of sacrifice among us. We must be willing to part with right hands and with right eyes. The world, the flesh, and Satan, must be put under our feet. The wedges of gold and Babylonish garments must be brought forth, and the Achans must be destroyed. Oh let none stand in the way of the work of the Lord; but let us draw together and let purity and humility, meekness, faith, and love be our motto. Oh may the Lord by his grace help me to overcome that I may stand with the redeemed on mount Zion.

C. LAWTON

West Winfield, N. Y.