p. 31 | Extracts from Letters

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 12, 1860

Extracts from Letters.

Sister D. Blanchard writes from Princeville, Ills. :

“I have been a Bible reader for many years; but like many others have been floating along with the popular tide. I was led to look with deep interest at the great Advent move of 1843-4. Although I did not endorse all the doctrines taught by Wm. Miller and others, yet I believed, and still believe, that God was in that move. But the subject soon ceased to be agitated here, and time glided smoothly along until last March, when Bro. Ingraham came here and commenced a series of Bible lectures in the Christian church. But before he got through, some of the brethren thought best to close the doors against him, assigning no reason for so doing, only that he would make a division in the church. Another suitable place was obtained, and he finished his lectures. He presented some of the truths of the Bible so forcibly that no one dared meet him in argument. Since he left, the Sabbath question has been agitated daily. Many have been driven to take the position that there is no Sabbath; that Christ abolished all the commandments of God; and that consequently we are under obligation to keep only those enumerated in the New Testament. But there are a few who have searched the Scriptures for themselves, and have determined to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I have been a member of the Christian church for nineteen years, but think it my duty to keep all my heavenly Father's commandments, and to obey the teachings of the blessed Saviour. And if by so doing my name is cast out as evil, let it go. I feel assured there is One who knoweth the secrets of every heart, and ere long he will take his children from their prison house of clay, to dwell with him forever. O, what a beauty there is in all his works. My sincere prayer is that the pure light of the gospel may spread far and wide, and that God's people may all speedily lay hold of it, and obtain that rest which remaineth for the children of God.”