Extracts from Letters

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 29, 1859

Extracts from Letters.

Sister M. L. Priest writes from Lancaster, Mass., Sept. 10th: "I am still trying to pursue the narrow way that leads to life, but my progress is so slow that at times I am almost discouraged. Not that I feel like giving up the truth, O no! but I believe Jesus wants such followers as will be living witnesses, that can be known and read of all men. Such will be valiant for the truth; they will endure hardness as good soldiers; when trials arise they will fight their way through, and they will do them good; when severe temptations beset their pathway, so that they are in great heaviness, they will flee into the name of the Lord, and find it a strong tower, a sure retreat; they will honor Jesus by believing that he is able and willing to make a way for their escape. But alas! this is not the way with us at all times; but when fiery trials are permitted to come which reveal hidden forms of selfishness and sin, we are oftentimes disheartened, and begin to give place to the enemy, by doubting whether we are the Lord's or not. The very means the Lord takes to purify and fit us for usefulness here, and for a better world, are the most odious to us. O I am sorry it is so with me. It seems to me I never saw so much in myself to abhor, as I have of late. Truly there is no good thing in me, and yet I hope on. It is no worthiness of mine that gives me hope; but the long-suffering and tender mercy of our God and the merits of his dear Son."

"I am fully satisfied, and have been for a long time, that these are perilous times. No means will be left untried by our great foe to destroy us; but I believe it is our privilege to go through and have an abundant entrance into the kingdom. I know we ought to be awake. I have been stirred up to-day while reading the Review, to put forth more of an effort to be a daily living Christian. O I sigh to be free—free from sin. O this vile nature, this deceitful heart! How I wish it was entirely in subjection by grace! It must be soon, or I fear it will be forever too late. How it would rejoice my heart to see the work prospering here in the east, as it does in some places in the west."