LETTERS | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1862

LETTERS.

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."

From Sister Tolhurst.

Bro. White: I am still striving to rise with the church from the lukewarm state, feeling that this beautiful theory of Bible truth will not save a poor sinner. I desire to lean upon Jesus for my salvation, and struggle on and be prepared to receive of the latter rain. Sometimes I think my progress is slower than it would be under other circumstances, but my heavenly Father knows better than I do, the place that I need to test and refine this vile nature. I would not murmur, but rather thank God for his goodness to me in permitting me to see the light of present truth.

It is rather lonely to feel that you have no one to advise or counsel with; but then I remember that this void can be filled by the presence of the holy Spirit. Yes, I realize that if I live near the throne of grace, I can draw divine refreshment from the heavenly sanctuary which will fill every aching void. What a comfort is this to the lonely ones!

Although separated from church privileges, and the fellowship of kindred hearts, he who is the greatest in heaven, who ruleth the universe, has promised to listen to the voice of our supplications, and send holy angels to be our companions. Let us not drive them from us by our sinful course. The path is indeed narrow for the christian to walk in, still it is pleasant to one that has lost the love for those things which make it crooked and broad.

When we are in this narrow way we have a secret peace which we do not enjoy when we walk with the multitude. If we take the wrong path for a little time it brings remorse and sorrow. How sweet are the teachings of the holy Spirit. Yes, I feel to say, Guide me by thy Spirit, and lead me in the narrow way, which will bring to the green pastures and still waters.

The effect of present truth upon the minds of God's dear people makes them at the present time like the still waters beside the troubled sea. How much we have to influence us to a holy life and full consecration.

I do hope that we, as Seventh-day Adventists in Ohio, may humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and be prepared for a blessing the coming tent season.

Yours striving for eternal life, LAURA C. TOLHURST. Columbia, Ohio.

From Sister Belden.

Bro. White: I feel that I can say with the psalmist, "Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments. Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it. I am small and despised, yet do not I forget thy precepts."

I am still striving to keep all the commandments of God with the faith of Jesus. Although the way sometimes seems dark, and as far as sympathy in the present truth is concerned, with the exception of some of my children, I am alone in this place. I have never for a moment had a thought of giving up these blessed truths, but I feel more and more to say, "Depart from me ye evil doers, for I will keep the commandments of my God."

Regarding the Sabbath I can say with truth that I love it more and more as week after week it comes to us bringing with it sweet refreshment and repose. I have often wished that I could become associated with the church, and with it become a participant in all its blessed privileges, but I have never had an opportunity, and all the preaching I have is the Review, whose weekly visits are hailed with delight.

The name Seventh-day-Adventist I dearly love. It expresses so eloquently the position of this people in regard to the Sabbath, and the soon coming of our blessed Lord. I fully believe that sister White's visions are of God, and may he abundantly bless her.

When I first embraced the Advent truth, and before I ever saw the testimony of sister White upon the subject, I felt that the wearing of hoops was a sin, consequently I have never worn them. The use of tea and coffee I long since dispensed with, considering them not only useless but really detrimental to health, and I fully sympathize in the straight testimony of sister White upon these subjects; for says the prophet, "Cry aloud, spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins." Isa. lviii, 1.

I am determined for one, by the grace of God, to "come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty," to become "instant in season, out of season, ever abounding in the work of the Lord." I want to become pure and holy, and like my blessed Master, meek and lowly in heart. I want to keep all God's commandments, that I may with all the redeemed ones, "have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city."

Your sister in the hope of the gospel, CAROLINE C. BELDEN. New Boston, Mass.

From Bro. Strickland.

Dear Bro. White: I have not been silent because I have no love for the present truth: it is for the want of being competent. But silence will not always answer; what we do must be done in this life, and that done shortly. I want my whole heart in this work. I want to be consecrated to the Lord. My salvation depends on this. My soul thirsteth after the Lord. O that the Lord would create within me a clean heart, and a right spirit. I long to be cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. I want to get nearer to the Lord. I want to follow the Lord wholly. Dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad, let us seek the Lord more earnestly; seek him with a whole heart. I want to be wholly the Lord's. When I look around me upon the world I see nothing but sin and confusion, an idolatrous set of people. O this gloomy earth! How long this state of things will be, we know not. May the Lord help us to get ready for the time of great trouble that is to come upon this earth is my prayer.

Yours hoping for redemption at the appearing of Jesus, G. W. STRICKLAND. Burr Oak, Mich.

Sister M. Edson writes from Ashfield, Mass.: "I trust I feel thankful to God for the blessings that his people are permitted to enjoy while they journey toward mount Zion. It is my desire to have some humble place with God's people. I believe that God is leading out a people and preparing them for translation. And while Jesus still pleads with his Father in behalf of guilty man, I desire to be an overcomer, and be accounted worthy to escape all those things which are coming to pass, and be prepared to meet Jesus who has purchased eternal life for all who will accept of it. I can say that truly his goodness and his mercy have followed me. And while he continues to let light and truth shine upon the pathway of his people, and is giving up warning after warning through the gift of his Holy Spirit, I would desire to profit by the instruction that we are permitted to receive, and work out my own salvation with fear and trembling."