Led Into Sabbath Truth
By Mrs. Jacob Smith
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS : I have long thought of giving in my testimony with you through the Review, but have felt so incapable of saying anything that would edify, I have withheld. I read your interesting letters over and over again, and am encouraged by them to press my way on through this sinful world. Twenty-two years I have been striving to make heaven my home. I have not been without my trials along the way. I have felt many times that this vile world is no friend to grace, to help me on to God ; and as I look back on my past life I can truly say, The goodness of God has followed me all the days of my life. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. It is three years to-day since I became a reader of the Review. Its sentiments at first were new and strange to me. I felt a spirit of inquiry to know if these things were so. My prayer was, Show me thy ways O Lord, teach me thy paths ; lead me in thy truth and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation. I commenced at the first chapter of Genesis to search my Bible, and was one year and fifteen days reading it through ; and praise his holy name he has shown me his ways and taught me his paths, and led me to see that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and not the first. I can now say as did one of old, that whereas I was once blind I now see. I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil. And I am not ashamed to say to the world that I have great respect for all the commandments of God and am striving to keep them. Thou art near O Lord, and all thy commandments are truth. I love my blessed Redeemer. He came not to destroy the law or the prophets ; he kept his Father's commandments, and he said to the young man, If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments. Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven. It is my desire to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of him who is meek and lowly in heart. I am striving to overcome every besetting sin, that I may sit with Jesus in his throne, even as he overcame and has set down with his Father in his throne. And while I write and meditate on these great and glorious promises, my heart burns with love to God, and to my fellow-beings. Truly my127soul waiteth upon God. He only is my rock ; he is my strong tower from the enemy. It was two years the twelfth day of last September since I commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and I ever hail its hallowed hours with delight. It is my meat and drink to do the will of my heavenly Father. I want to be one of that number who will stand on the sea of glass, and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Brethren and sisters let us be faithful to God, and he will give us a crown of life when Jesus comes. Yours in hope of eternal life,