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An Interesting Letter

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 6, 1857

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 10, No. 14.

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An Interesting Letter.

By A. S. H.

Bro. Smith : Not long since, I heard a letter read by a sister who is a firm believer in the present truth, which she wrote to a brother of hers living at a distance. And being somewhat acquainted with the circumstances under which she embraced the Bible view of the Second Advent, and the Sabbath of the Lord, the letter was peculiarly interesting to me; and with a view to encourage and strengthen those of like precious faith, I obtained it for the Review.
The writer does not enjoy the privilege of meeting with the brethren and sisters, nor of reading the Review openly; yet she seems established in the present truth, and is striving to overcome with the remnant. The victory which she obtained over the spirits of devils, which are working their many miracles, when tempted by them, was truly signal. Herein is fulfilled the scripture, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The following is the letter.
A. S. H.
Battle Creek, July 30th, 1857.
"My Dear Brother: Feeling a great interest in your welfare I feel it my duty to give you a short history of my past experience. When the first loud voice cried, 'Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come,' I had been married a few years and was so taken up with the cares of the world that I heeded it not. I never heard a sermon on the subject, nor saw a book or paper, and would only keep it in mind long enough to say, 'Go not after them when they say, Lo here, or lo there is Christ.' The two messages were given, and I was blinded by the god of this world. Three years ago this Spring I saw a volume written by a Spiritualist, with a name signed to each piece, purporting to be the spirit of some dead friend. In it there were many visions, well calculated to meet the winds of doctrine and creeds of the present day. I was soon caught in this pleasant snare; for I have buried friends with whom I wished to converse. I soon found that I could become a writing and healing medium. At times I thought my house was full of the spirits of friends. I was truly honest, and in hopes I had found something that could arouse me from my stupor and accompany me through this unfriendly world. The first question that I wished to have answered was, What scripture do your manifestations fulfill? Before I could write plainly with my influenced arm, I discovered something that led me to think they were evil spirits. I charged them with being such, and bade them leave me like a serpent. My influenced hand crawled from the table in a snake form. When my hand was influenced again, I told them the same, and when I resisted, they would leave in the same manner.
One time my hand tried to hop from the table. I now believed my house full of evil spirits, and searched the Bible for a fulfillment instead of going to the teachings of Spiritualism. Read Isa. viii, 13, 20; Rev. xvi, 13, 14; 2 Thess. ii, 9-12. I soon became convinced that this was a deception that was to make its appearance in the last days. I said to myself without ever hearing a sermon, the Advent Messages are true. I began to study the Bible to see if these things were so. I began at Isaiah and read to the end of Revelation. I have read the same through three times, and commenced the fourth. I can hardly open the book now without seeing the perfect harmony of the prophets and the preaching of the apostles, and that time is almost ended.
"I had many hard trials the first time I went through with my search, I was so blinded by the commentators' remarks; but the fourth time I find nothing but perfect harmony, and pearls of great price. I can truly say the darkness is passed and the true light shineth. I now feel that I am wretched, blind and naked. I am daily begging that I may be clothed with a robe of righteousness, that I may purchase the gold tried in the fire, that my eyes may be anointed that I may see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and that my sins, with those of the whole Israel of God, may be blotted out. I can say with a full soul, Glory to God, that he has called me when entangled in the hedge; glory to his name for the light and love and beauty of the message of the Third Angel, and glory to his name for the light on the passing judgment; how well calculated to arouse our stupor.
I hope, dear brother, that you well understand every word I write. I have looked for your name in the Review again and again. I hope that I shall find it by and by. I beg of you to take the paper if you do not already. You will find it laden with the rich treasures of the gospel. It tells us the good Shepherd is searching the hills and woods for his sheep. The false shepherds feed themselves and let the sheep stray; but says Christ, 'My sheep hear my voice, and follow me.' I hope you and I may be secure in the fold, for the wolves are nigh.
"I can truly say, When saw I thee hungry and fed thee? or naked and clothed thee? or sick and in prison and visited thee? I will not complain of any trials, for God is good to me, and I am looking forward to the time when every lone captive will be freed from sin and temptation; when the blessed Saviour will appear, and with a voice sweeter than ten thousand instruments of music say, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father;' when with a mighty earthquake he will open the graves of the sleeping saints. Shall we be prepared for such an interview?
"Dear brother, be entreated to keep the commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. I mean to keep trying to overcome all my besetments, for I shall be awfully ashamed to be overcome by him that the Saviour says was a murderer from the beginning. Remember that my prayers will go with this letter, and will not stop when the letter stops. When you read this remember me, and accept the same from your only sister."