DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS, scattered abroad, whose testimonies make the Review a welcome messenger, to you I would say, that it is nearly two years since I commenced by the help of God to keep all his commandments, and I cannot say that I have suffered loss; on the contrary, had I known what advantages are derived spiritually, in the increase of knowledge by a study of his word and seeking after truth, proving all things that come up before me, and investigating by the helps within my reach, I could have made the sacrifice long before.
I had always felt from a child that the seventh day was the Sabbath, and yet never knew a person that kept that day. Some thirteen years ago, when recovering from a bed of sickness, and reading the New Testament through by course, the Sabbath fastened itself upon my mind more forcibly than ever before, so that I spoke of it occasionally to Methodist ministers, of which church I was a member, hoping that I might get some evidence for a First-day Sabbath; but none of them could bring a thus saith the Lord, but I still consoled myself with the thought that it was not my duty to keep it, feeling that I must inevitably backslide, having no helps in the path of duty, as I could not meet with any people that kept that day. Thus I continued on trying, as I thought, to live a Christian, but how far from godliness! The way grows straiter and narrower the farther I advance in a knowledge of the will of God as revealed in his word, and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 1 Pet. iv, 18. Many I believe come under the class of sinners, who are saying, Lord, Lord, because they transgress the law by keeping another day which he has not commanded; and the wages of sin I have found to be death instead of eternal life in misery; and the sleep of the dead untill the resurrection, and eternal life through Christ, make a beauty and harmony in the plan of salvation unfathomed by orthodox creeds; and I can truly say that I never prized my Bible as I do now. 'Tis a precious beacon light to cheer the lonely pilgrim.
May God speed his truth, and may we individually let our light shine and have salt in ourselves, that we may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger, is the prayer of your unworthy sister.