Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 26, 1861

Extracts from Letters.

Sister L. J. Shaw writes from Wyoming Co., N. Y.: "I meet with opposition and discouragement; still, the Lord being my helper, I am determined to live according to Bible teachings, and amid all I feel and see the love and wisdom of God in all his dealings with me, who has out of the abundant riches of his grace given me a heart to love, serve, and obey him. I long to be more holy in life and heart, and feel the need of more diligence, more grace, more of that faith that works by love and purifies the heart. My soul is pained on account of those that profess to be the humble followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, but are violating his holy law, and are so conformed to the world that they can hardly be distinguished from them. How long will they rest in carnal security, wandering from God, pursuing a shadow instead of a substance? The soon coming of the Lord should arouse every mind and heart. What a priceless gem is the christian's hope! Were it not mine to possess I should often despair; but knowing the promises of the Lord are sure, that he will not leave or forsake his people, with blessed anticipation I look forward to the rest that remains for the people of God. We know it is through great tribulation we shall enter the kingdom. Our Saviour was shamefully treated, despised and insulted, and he says, 'If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you, but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.' The Lord is able and he will deliver all his people out of their troubles, and sanctify them all to their good, and his glory. He is our strength and hope, and our salvation, if we trust in him. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever. I desire that I may be kept in the narrow way, that I may not dishonor that dear Saviour whom I profess to love; that I may bear with christian meekness and humility the world's dread frown. This world is not a friend to grace, to help us on to God. Still what promises there are to those that overcome! Though the christian must travel through this unfriendly world amid persecutions, trials, and afflictions, still that promise remaineth for the people of the Lord, that the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. This is what I am diligently seeking, striving to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present evil world, looking for and hasting unto the appearing of our Lord and Saviour."

Sister L. J. Richmond writes from Vernon, Vt.: "There are a few here who are trying to act upon the plan of systematic benevolence. Although we suffer some inconvenience on account of not having church order, still we are resolved on having as much order and system as possible under the present existing circumstances, fondly hoping the time is not far distant when churches of Seventh-day Adventists will be organized here in the East, and we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Bro. J. Ayers writes from Brooklyn, N. Y.: "I am glad for the grace given to you whereby you are rendered the instruments in the Lord's hands of correcting the errors, reproving the faults, and counseling to order and strict discipline, the remnant church in these last days. I hope, by the help of my kind heavenly Father, to be in full practical sympathy with the straight testimony, as I trust I am already in sentiment. I think I am in a position to judge somewhat accurately of the perilousness of the times in which we live, and perhaps it is not improper to express my fears that the Seventh-day Adventists as a people, although possessing great light, are not fully awake to the nature of those perils directly in our midst. I do rejoice for the notes of warning and alarm that begin to be sounded, and the call to order. O, may the Lord help us to be that people that know the joyful sound, and thus partake the promised blessing. Dear brother, may the Lord bless you and yours abundantly, strengthening and encouraging you in all your toils and sufferings for the truth's sake."

Bro. J. I. Bostwick writes from Hanover: "We are lonely, and we need the prayers of our brethren, that the Spirit of the Lord may dwell with us, and help us to walk in the light of his truth. We are now among those who have had no light on present truth, and we think that if some of our preaching brethren would come here and lecture, much good might be accomplished. The circumstances attending our removal to this place are such that we are led to believe that the hand of the Lord has led us, and we feel confident that he will overrule all for our good, and for the good of those around us."