Letters by E. M. Hutchins

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 15, 1859

Letters.

By E. M. Hutchins

“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.”

From Sister Hutchins.

BRO. SMITH:—My heart swells with gratitude to God this morning for his rich and abundant mercies bestowed upon his people. And as I look forward to the never-ending blessing that will finally rest upon the faithful, in the language of the Psalmist I exclaim, “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.”

Protracted infirmities have in a measure crippled my energies, but I still feel a deep and abiding love for God’s cause, his truth, and his people. These indeed grow brighter and more precious, and my love stronger for them, while the world looks more and more dreary. I am thankful that it is not my home. In my experience for some months past, I have had new, and increasing evidence of the sustaining and comforting power of the grace of God. Disease has taken a firm hold of my system. At times I have thought death had marked me for his victim, and that the grave would soon be my resting place. But the blessed hope has been like an anchor to my soul. And when tossed and beaten by affliction, ’tis true I have sometimes felt very sad, and much weighed down, thinking I must sink, or be swallowed up; but I have not been driven to despair. I could say with the poet, “My hope is on high, the angels sing and so do I.”

With feelings beyond expression, my mind has rested on the time when the people of God having gained the victory, will be welcomed into the city, and have a right to the tree of life. I have thought, shall I a worm of the dust, and one of the most unworthy of all God’s people, be permitted to be there, and put forth my hand and partake of that fruit, and the healing leaves? It may look like presumption to some, but through Jesus’ merits, I dare to hope! Blessed hope. No more shall we feel the effects of the blight of sin. No aching bleeding lungs there, for there’ll be no more sorrow. Praise the Lord, glory to his blessed name. He has purchased this salvation for us. It has cost the blood of the Son of God. But how few are willing to accept it as it is offered. The conditions they war with, and such rest on a false hope, rather than to have one that is well founded. It costs so much. But though it take all, I can glory in my gain. I’ll count it cheap enough.

But as I reflect on the past, I feel that I am a wonder of mercy, and in some measure a monument of God’s healing power. Repeatedly when I have been brought very low, and apparently beyond the reach of help, God has heard the fervent prayers of his dear children in my behalf, and rebuked disease. I have been greatly blest, and strengthened to stand at my post, and endure hardness, and conflicts with God’s people. I know God has worked for me, for there was no power in me to stand as I have. In view of these manifestations of God’s love and mercy, I feel that my obligations to him are greatly increased. I mean that my life, and the strength he gives me shall be entirely devoted to his service; I will praise him while I have my being. I think I can say I love the service of God. It is not irksome, for he is my love, and his loving kindness is better than life.

Dear brethren and sisters, the time of our sojourn here is short. The land we seek, is not one of blasted hopes and faded prospects. The dearest objects of our love will not there be torn from us by the ruthless hand of death, and the cup of sorrow be pressed to our lips. No, our salvation will be complete. The restorer will bring back the lost ones who rest in hope, and together with them we shall behold the bright shining face of Him who is the health of our countenance, and our God. And walking in its light we’ll ever have immortal health and beauty. All that is lovely, and pure, and valuable, is embraced in the christian’s hope. We are not grasping at shadows, nor following a phantom. It is a glorious reality, of which we have but a foretaste.

But we cannot expect to be made partakers of this great salvation, unless we fully and faithfully walk in the light of truth as it is revealed to us. The truth is a rock, and on it we may plant our feet in the fullest assurance of safety. There is harmony, consistency, and beauty in it. And if ever a people had cause for gratitude, and humility of heart, certainly those have who are walking in the light of the third angel’s message. If we get it established in our hearts, its powerful effects will be seen. The soul will thrive and grow strong under its influence. May none of us rest satisfied with a surface work, while the heart is unaffected. Heart work alone will stand the test. O then let us examine and know ourselves, and see that we are in the faith.

E. M. HUTCHINS.

Topsham, Me. Aug. 29, 1859.