Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 11, 1861

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. H. Edson writes from Palermo, N. Y.: "The Review is a welcome messenger to us, although I have not been able myself to read but very little of its contents for more than a year. My health for years has been failing, and for the last fourteen months I have not been able to labor, read, or write but a trifle. From February last my health seemed to improve gradually until the spring opened, since which it has again failed me; but I hope for that land where the inhabitants shall no more say I am sick. My faith is unshaken in the third angel's message. I believe we are nearing the loud cry, and the closing scenes. I have confidence in, and my sympathy is still with, those who have stood by this work, and have borne the heat and burden of the day, whose experience should be considered of much value and worth to the church. The Lord give such wisdom from above and guide them in judgment is my prayer. I believe the plan of systematic benevolence is in the order and counsel of heaven, and that the remnant church must needs come up to the standard raised on this subject and bring all the tithes and offerings into the storehouse, or the

Lord's treasury, that there may be meat in the Lord's house before he will open the windows of heaven and pour out the rich blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it; which will be no less than the latter rain or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, whose longsuffering is now waiting as in the days of Noah. He is not willing that any of his people should perish, but that we all should come to repentance for our lukewarm, poor, wretched, miserable, blind and naked destitution. I feel bad at times that I am so bound that I am of no service in the blessed cause I love. Though unworthy, I hope to share in the prayers of such as have power and can prevail with God.

"Your unworthy brother in affliction."

Bro. C. N. Pike writes from North Wardsboro, Vt.: "I would like to say to the dear saints that although unacquainted with most of them yet I feel that I love them all, and hope soon to meet with them in glory. I do believe the time is very near, when, if faithful, we shall be changed from mortal to immortal, from these painful and trying hours to joys which will never end. I feel very unworthy and sometimes the enemy tries to make me think there is no hope for me, but I often think of the verse—

"I can but perish if I go, I am resolved to try, &c."

And then our Lord himself has said, Whosoever will come let him come and take of the water of life freely. O what precious promises has he left on record for the poor and needy, who are led to see their lost condition! Who can but love him when they know how much he bore for us. I can still say that I have never been sorry that I started to try to serve the Lord and keep his holy Sabbath. It is a very welcome day to me. Although I have to work seven or eight miles distant from any one of like precious faith, yet I meet with them sometimes upon the Sabbath, and generally feel that I get well paid for my journey.

It has been some more than a year since I first began to try to keep all the commandments. I had then agreed to work for a man who works on the seventh day. I did not know but he would turn me off, but I thought I would rather 'suffer with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season,' and I believe the Lord helped me to find favor in the eyes of my employer, for he did not turn me off, but has hired me again this year. Last year it was said I would give up my notion before long, but I do not know but what the truth is just as sweet to me now as it ever was, and I hope and pray that I may always walk in the ways of wisdom and truth. It often cheers my heart to read the letters in the Review, and to know of the trials and victories of the dear saints. It gives me courage and increases my love for them."

Sister A. O. Thompson writes from Denmark, N. Y.: "I still love the cause of truth, and it does not seem as though I could be deprived of the paper. It is all the preaching I have. I love to hear from the dear saints who are scattered abroad. I sympathize with Bro. and Sister White, and I am glad that they have been raised up to stand for the truth. None but God knows whether I shall ever be raised up from a sick bed. I am now feeble, but I have unshaken confidence in God and his people. I love the name Seventh-day Adventists. I desire an interest in the prayers of God's dear saints, that whether I live or die, I may be the Lord's in the day of his coming. I feel very unworthy, and I know of a truth that the Lord is very good to me."