W. M. ALLEN by W. M. Allen

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

W. M. ALLEN

By W. M. Allen

From Bro. Allen.

BRO. SMITH: I have had the privilege of reading the Review for nearly a year, and I hope to be able to pay for it. I feel that I can say with truth it is a welcome messenger to all of our household. We look for it with impatience until it arrives, then lay it aside regretting there are no more pages. Our household consists of myself and wife, my sister and her husband and their three children. These comprise all the Sabbath-keepers that we know of within thirty miles of us. Although I have professed to keep the Sabbath about fourteen years, I feel that I have never rightly understood its claims until of late. I regret that in days past I had not a more thorough understanding of its claims, feeling that perhaps I might have been instrumental in bringing many to a more thorough knowledge of the truth. When the fallow ground of the heart is broken up, then truth, rightly spoken, takes deep root.

I confess that in days past I have been somewhat prejudiced against Sabbath-keeping Adventists, while at the same time Adventism has been the theme my soul loved to dwell upon. Although I have never been much of an opposer of present truth, yet I feel that prejudice has caused me to harbor wrong feelings toward one of the Advent brethren, viz., H. W. Lawrence of N. Y. state. If I could see him I could extend the hand of fellowship to him and ask him to forgive the wrong I have done him. May the Lord bless and sustain him in every trial.

It has been about eight years since I have tried to preach the gospel. I started with the Christian denomination, but my views became much changed. About four years ago I withdrew from the connection and came West. Since that time I have tried to preach, as often as a door would open, the coming of the Saviour near at hand. I have not united with any denomination in the West, feeling it was better to stand alone than to be yoked to those of different faith. Sometimes I have felt that the Lord was with me and abundantly blessed my labors, but at other times have been lonely and sad.

I have preached but little the past year on account of denominational prejudices. Yes, I am lonely; my soul longs for a union with the people of God. I pine for active service in his cause. When I read in the Review the many calls for help I long to buckle on the armor and fly to the fields of labor with my Father's children. Pen would fail to express my feelings of joy if such a privilege was mine. But a voice whispers, You do not thoroughly understand all that a messenger should understand; you have never heard a course of lectures by a messenger; you are almost wholly unacquainted with the Advent people; and how can you expect to excel in the great battle-field of life? I know it is highly necessary that we know that God calls us before we enter upon so great a work as the last message of mercy to men. I desire the prayers of all the faithful that I may know duty and be able to do it.

W. M. ALLEN

Galva, Ills., Aug. 14th, 1859.