Extracts from Letters

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 28, 1860

Extracts from Letters.

L. N. Francis writes from Cass, Hancock Co., Ohio: "I would send a few lines to the Review that the brethren may know what the Lord has done and is still doing for me. The last ten or twelve years of my life I have been deprived of my eye-sight, and of course I have been likewise deprived of reading the word of the Lord for myself. But during this time the Spirit of the Lord worked with me. I have felt that there must be something done to secure eternal life in my Father's mansions; but how I was to receive the truth I scarcely know, as the Bible was construed in so many ways that I could understand but little of it. I almost sunk in despair of ever finding the straight and narrow path that leadeth to life. But in the year 1857, I think, Bro. Cornell pitched the tent near the town of Findlay, Ohio, and there gave a course of lectures, which created considerable excitement in this settlement. It was some time before I could be persuaded to go and hear for myself, as I thought perhaps it was another profession springing up only to add to the confusion that already existed. At last I made up my mind that I would go and hear what this new doctrine was.

"I was too late to hear anything on the prophecies. I heard on the Sabbath and immortality of the soul, which I thought appeared to be very plain truths, but not knowing how the breach in the law had been made, or how we had been kept in the dark so long concerning those truths, they did not take a very deep hold on me. The tent moved to another place, and I was as yet very much in the dark. I could not rest my all upon a faith I knew so little about, and so became very careless about the ways of religion. But this world having no charms for me, I was led to make another effort to secure eternal life. My friends had taken books on the prophecies and the third angel's message during Bro. Cornell's lectures in this place. I thought I would hear them read. I did so, and was much encouraged. It gave me much light on the Scriptures. It gave me to understand how the man of sin had thought to change times and laws; how Sunday-keeping had come to be the mark of the beast, and likewise gave me much light on other disputed points. In the autumn of 1858 a debate took place between Bro. Cornell and Eld. Bulger, one of the United Brethren in a town some 120 miles distant from this place. It was on the law, and I think it was stated in this way:

Resolved, That the ten commandments as given on mount Sinai are binding on all nations and in all dispensations. Elder B. strove hard to make it appear that this law was nailed to the cross and abolished. But his efforts to abolish the law only caused the truth to shine more brightly. Never did the truth on this point look more beautiful to me. Then it was that I took a decided stand on the side of truth, and I now delight in the law of God. Surely the Lord has done wondrous things for me. Yes brethren, I feel that in the perils of these last days I need the whole truth that I may be made able to stand, and know how to escape the things that are soon to come upon this wicked generation. And now, although the light of the sun may be of little or no benefit to me, I have received a light that shines much brighter. It is the light that lights me on my way through this gloomy world to mount Zion, and I know it will shine brighter and brighter until the perfect day."