A Great Salvation by Jane Sewell

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 8, 1860

A Great Salvation

By Jane Sewell

From Sister Sewell.

Bro. Smith: I feel a strong desire to speak to all the scattered flock to whom the Review makes its weekly visits; for I feel that it is my duty to give God the glory of my salvation. Yes, I feel constrained to say that I have experienced a great salvation.

For ten years past I have been a member of the M. E. church, and though I have been a sincere seeker after the way of holiness, and have had a longing desire to be a vessel fit for the Master's use, still there has been an abiding dissatisfaction in my heart, a feeling of conviction that all was not well, a feeling well expressed by the poet:

"'Tis a point I long to know, Oft it causes anxious thought, Do I love the Lord or no? Am I his, or am I not?"

I knew nothing of the present truth, or the believers in it, only that they kept the seventh-day Sabbath, and that they were a "sect everywhere spoken against," until last March, when, by the providence of God, two of his messengers, Bro. Czechowski and D. T. Bourdeau came into our neighborhood to preach the everlasting gospel. Though I was strongly prejudiced against them, or rather their doctrine of the Sabbath, I was induced by curiosity to hear what they had to say, and O, how shall I praise God suitably! What shall I render unto him for the light that broke into my soul on that occasion? I went home determined to imitate the noble Bereans who searched "the Scriptures daily to know whether these things were so." As I began to hunger and thirst for knowledge, Bro. Czechowski gave me the "Bible Student's Assistant," and as I searched with the aid of that little book, the light shone all around me, dispersing the clouds and darkness of superstition and tradition, until no place was found for them, for the truth had entered into my mind, and I could adopt the language of the Psalmist: "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple." I had no difficulty in deciding whether to obey God or man. When I "saw a great light," "immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood," but determined that I would "lay aside every weight and the sin which did so easily beset me, and run with patience the race set before me, looking unto Jesus, (and to him alone,) the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I had not long obeyed the fourth commandment before the Holy Spirit, my only counsellor in the matter, convinced me that I was breaking the first. I had one idol that I had tried hard to forsake, but had finally decided that I could never give it up. But when I saw the inconsistency of obeying one commandment while I refused obedience to the other, and was assured by the word that he that "offendeth in one point is guilty

of all," I saw that I must yield this also, and though it was like plucking out a right eye, I felt that it was better than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. I believed, and proved that all things are possible to him that believeth. Yes, glory to God! I feel this morning that I want to say to all my brothers and sisters, as far as my voice can reach, "Through Christ strengthening us we can do all things" necessary to "cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit." And the Saviour has told us to cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Yes, all ye servants of tobacco, and the pipe, and the snuff-box, hear what God the Lord saith, "From all your filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse you;" and I will put my Spirit within you, and I will cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them." "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure."

To the glory of God's grace, I am enabled to testify that I put away my idol (pipe and tobacco), and it has become to me an object of disgust and abhorrence.

I feel that I cannot close this communication without expressing my gratitude to those dear brethren and sisters who have so kindly extended their sympathy, and their aid, both by their personal presence and the loan of books and papers which have been to me an invaluable blessing. In love and fellowship with all God's dear children, I am striving to walk with God, hoping, and praying, and trusting, that ere long I shall have my companion, and some of my dear neighbors, to go with me to mount Zion.

Your sister and companion in the present truth. JANE SEWELL.

Malone, N. Y.