Encouragement in the Third Angel's Message
By I. N. Van Gorder
Bro. Smith: I feel encouraged as I read the testimonies of brethren and sisters in the Review, and I can say I love the truths of the third angel's message, and feel to rejoice that the Lord had prepared my heart to receive and embrace it as soon as ever I heard it. I feel more and more firm as I see the signs of Jesus' coming fulfilling every day; and the grace of God assisting me, I am determined to be ready when he shall appear in his glory. By a daily search of my heart I find there many things to overcome. But "my heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed." I long for the time to come when the church as a body shall have attained to such a state as that the power of God will be more fully manifested to his people, and to the world, by the exercise of the various gifts; but I feel that until we appreciate and fully heed those we have, this will not be done. I can say I am determined by the help of the Lord to heed every warning given to the church. I believe in the gifts and shall act according to them. I can say with Bro. Chase (in Review, March 5th) I have never known an individual to reject and fight against them but lost his religion. It rejoices my heart to see the church taking the stand respecting them that they are. May the Lord help us to heed his warnings, to keep his commandments, to have the faith of Jesus, to fully overcome, that we may receive the blessings promised in Rev. xxii, 14, and iii, 21. Your brother striving to overcome.