Sister Labounty’s Testimony
By Martha Labounty
Dear Brethren and Sisters. It is now more than five years since the Lord called me by his Spirit to walk in his ways, and I was not disobedient to the gracious call, but felt that it was my reasonable service to love and obey one who had done so much for me. My heart was melted in contrition and love to God, as from time to time I retired in secret to read his word, and to call upon his name. His word seems a new book to me, and I determined that it should be my guide through life. Its precious promises I claimed as my own. I was a firm believer in the second appearing of Christ at the door, and the feelings of my heart were,
> "Fly, fly on wings of morning,
> Ye who the truth can tell,
> And sound the awful warning,
> *To rescue souls from hell."` But the Lord opened my eyes to see that the professed Adventists were sliding backward instead of advancing, and I resolved not to be like them. There I stood until the Lord sent Bro. Andrews with the life boat of truth which I believe will gather all the honest in heart. I felt that he and others that were with him had a good spirit, yet I did not feel the importance of the truth which he preached. But this feeling did not last long. I heard him again, and went home from the meeting feeling that it was of great importance to know whether I was breaking one of God's commandments or not. In my room on my knees before the Lord, I besought him to show me the truth, and I believed he would do so. I soon saw clearly my duty and decided to keep the commandments let the world say what it would. Since that time I have walked with the remnant people of God. For a few months in the past I have been passing through deep trials and afflictions, and at times have feared that I should sink under them. Not that I believed they were not designed for my good, but I feared that I should not rightly improve them. But my hope has been in the mercy of the Lord, and hitherto the Lord has blessed me. O I want grace to endure the searchings of the Lord, believing that he will take nothing from me that is for my good. My heart is sad when I think of the loved ones who will not be persuaded to leave the world and go with us. I shudder when I think of their awful end. Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends, will you come with us? For you we have prayed, for you we have wept, for you we have mourned. O I ask will you not come and be saved? Must we leave you behind to partake of the seven last plagues that shall be so soon poured upon the wicked? "Why will you die?" I entreat you to stop and think before it is too late. The last sands of time are fast slipping from under your feet. Look around you and see that the harvest of the earth is almost ripe. The servants of God are doing their last work. Their last sermon will soon be preached, their last prayer offered. Mercy will soon cease to plead for you. Improve the precious moments. Come and keep God's commandments "that you may have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city." O let us who have put our hands to the plough be careful that we look not back, but let us "seek righteousness, seek meekness, it may be we shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." From your sister, striving to overcome.
Martha Labounty.