A Testimony for the Truth
By Lydia I. Shaw
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Although a stranger to you, still I trust I am not a stranger to God and the truths contained in his word. I feel it a duty as well as a privilege to give in my testimony in favor of the truth, and for the first time I address you, thinking perhaps it may encourage some one, to know that one more is seeking the truth as revealed in the word of God. I find that the word of God is very plain to those who read with prayerful attention, and it abounds with promises to those who keep his commandments and have the faith of Jesus; and I am striving to keep them all. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all; and I do rejoice for the light I have received. The desires of my heart are, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and enable me by thy grace to live in obedience to thy commands, for I choose to suffer reproach and the frowns of the world, if I may but be counted worthy to be of that number of whom it shall be said, Here are they that have kept the faith, and the commands of God. I have had an increasing desire to come out from the world and be separate, to seek for the inward adorning of the heart. I long to be filled with love and gratitude to God for all his mercies to me; and through his grace strengthening me, I hope to overcome all the evils that may befall me. There is great need to watch and pray, and guard against the vain allurements of the world, to pursue a course between the rocks on either hand, that we may gain the reward of the finally faithful, and enjoy the presence of our once crucified but now risen and exalted Saviour. Oh that the cry of my heart may ever be, Lord prepare me for that happy day when all the saints get home, when we shall be free from all the toils and troubles of mortal life. “Oh may my lot be cast with these,
Though least of Jesus’ witnesses.”