"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."
From Sister Wright.
BRO. SMITH: I have long esteemed it duty as well as a pleasure, to speak to those of like precious faith, of the longsuffering and lovingkindness of my heavenly Father.
While walking in the broad road a stranger to my Redeemer, death entered our household and tore from thence a dear and beloved father. This was indeed a wound for which earth had no cordial, and which heaven alone had power to heal. While thus bereft, I was led to look to Him who has promised to be a father to the fatherless, and O how precious was that promise! and how truly has it been verified to me.
Again, while walking with those who cry peace and safety, and disregarding God's holy Sabbath, all my earthly hopes were cut off by disease. For three long years I sought earthly aid, both far and near, but to no avail. Yet I was not left comfortless; for the Lord in great mercy sent Bro. and Sr. Lawrence, of Bangor, N. Y., to hold up to me the promises of God, and the truths of his holy word, and I was led to see light in the light of the Lord, and to embrace the precious truths connected with the third angel's message. Although I felt that I must soon lie down in the grave, yet I was led to rejoice in the hope set before me, knowing that Jesus would soon come and awake my sleeping dust. But the good Shepherd led me in a way that I knew not. When I became obedient to his holy will, and felt to lie passive in his hands, then he appeared as my physician. He heard prayer in my behalf, and rescued me from the gates of death, that I might declare his truth, and talk of his lovingkindness.
I feel to-day that I can truly say that his word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, and because his lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise him. I thank God that I was ever afflicted and brought low, that I might become willing to receive the truth, and to have my name cast out as evil for Christ's sake. Although I have to bear the scoffs of those that reject this gospel of the kingdom, yet I feel to rejoice in the truth. I know that the God in whom I have trusted is all-sufficient, and he will grant me grace as my day is. Although former friends and associates forsake me, the Lord is the same yesterday, to-day and forever, a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. I have learned that there is a strong tower whereunto I can resort in every time of trouble. A little more than one year has passed since I commenced trying to remember the Sabbath to keep it holy, and to walk before the Lord blameless.
I live in a community of none of like faith, and very many are they that oppose the truth, putting light for darkness and darkness for light. Yet I do not feel like deserting my post, and my confidence in the truth is not in the least shaken. O no, the way grows brighter and more glorious, and I feel willing to testify that after the manner that some call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all that is written in the law and the prophets.
While recalling past mercies of the Lord, and the way that he has led me of late, I am led to cry from the depths of my soul, The Lord be magnified! My desire and prayer is that I may prove faithful, and so seek meekness and holiness that I may be counted worthy to escape the trouble that is coming upon the earth, and at last be numbered with the redeemed upon mount Zion.