Conversion to Advent Truth
By Hiram Decker
Bro. Smith: An invitation was given in some of the back numbers of the Review for the brethren to write a few words for publication, that the readers thereof might know how the good cause was prospering in the length and breadth of the land. I was early in life impressed with the importance of a change of heart and an interest in the blessed Saviour: and I trust that I gave my whole heart to him, when in the vigor of youth. But I fear that my course has been wayward, and not always up to my privilege. I am now getting somewhat advanced in life, and realize that my probation must soon end. Honest or dishonest, I must soon go down to the grave. And here let me tell you that a great change has come over me within the last year, touching the doctrines of God's holy book. I vainly thought I was gliding along toward the haven of that rest that "remains for the people of God," but I fear I was following a phantom instead of a reality. I had always regarded "The Millerites" or Second Adventists as a deluded people, and was ever ready to believe anything that was said against them. I knew nothing, or next to nothing about them, until beloved Bro. Ross, sometime during last winter gave us a series of lectures on the Second Advent of the Saviour, the Commandments of God, and the strange doctrine that men have no immortality until after the resurrection. And in the course of the last summer a Bro. Barr and Bro. Wheeler came among us, and faithfully held forth the same doctrine. By this time the good seed began to manifest itself, and Brn. Barr and Wheeler were attentively and eagerly heard, at least, by some who have openly espoused these great truths, that should engage the attention of the whole human race. And still there are many more in this vicinity whose judgments are convinced of the importance of coming out and acknowledging their faith in the doctrine. The great tendency of the preaching here by Brn. Ross, Barr and Wheeler has been to make men and women "search the Scriptures," to see if these things were so. Our great want here now, is for some good man to come and labor a while with us, to strengthen the weak and confirm the wavering. Can we have it? We wait for a reply.