An Aged Woman Embraces Advent Doctrine
By Orpah J. Steele
Bro. White: Although a stranger, I take the liberty to write you, as I am anxious to get some books from your Office. I subscribed for the Review last August. It comes regularly, and I am much pleased with its contents. Would be indeed lonely without it, as it is all the preaching or instruction I have, except my Bible, which I both study and understand anew. I never heard an Advent sermon, never went to but one meeting, that a prayer-meeting last August at Hundred Mile Grove, while in that vicinity on a visit. I went with C. W. Stanley and wife, and was much pleased and edified with the proceedings, especially the washing of feet, which to me looked solemn. I was on a visit to C. W. Stanley's brother's, who married my granddaughter. While there Mrs. C. W. Stanley lent me Advent books and papers to read, which I perused attentively, and fell in with the doctrine at once, and believed it to be truth, yes, pure Bible doctrine. The more I read my Bible and the prophecies now, the better I can understand, but could never understand it before. Though I a long, long time ago made up my mind that these orthodox churches were not what they should be, yet have belonged to the (what I call popular) Methodist church many years. My age is now three-score and six, with dim, weak eyes, and miserable health, yet this old rough, broken pen is worse than poor eyes. Both together make rough scribbling. Yet on some accounts I want to tell you some more of my position, hoping you can make out to read it. I am this summer on a visit to my daughter's in Baraboo, and expect to leave here about the middle of the present month. My home is near Boscobel Village, across Wisconsin River. Therefore, hereafter you will please direct my papers and books to Boscobel, Grant Co., Wis. Dear sir, I hardly know myself what books to decide to send for; but I will tell you the belief of some of my friends, and neighbors, then you can probably judge better than myself what books to send, for I am in hopes I can persuade them to read my books and papers. I am both sorry and ashamed to tell you they are Spiritualists. For that reason I think Modern Spiritualism will be suitable for one book, Third Angel's Message for another, and Signs of the Times I want very much. I must give a little sketch of that vicinity. It is the most no-God place I ever knew. The inhabitants spend their Sundays in fishing, hunting, visiting, some drink and quarrel, &c. They have a good school-house, but no preaching, except occasionally a one-horse preacher comes along. Then they all turn out and have a full meeting. I firmly believe that if an Advent preacher was to go there much good might be done. I think it the very place they should go. I wish some of the brethren would make an effort to send one there. I engage he shall be well treated. I think no one there ever heard of this people, for I never did till last July. The first of your publications I ever read was Mrs. White's book of visions, which to me was indeed interesting. I shall be quite alone in my belief. No one to instruct me, or even speak to on the subject. I presume they will scoff, ridicule, persecute, &c., yet I now feel determined to press my way forward, and keep the commandments of God. I often feel gloomy and cast down, for the reason that I have never felt satisfied that I ever had a change of heart. I have been praying for it many years, yet am not satisfied. I feel that I am yet in the dark, and now, dear Bro. and Sister White, I do earnestly crave your prayers, that I may be brought out of this darkness into God's marvelous light. The Bible says the prayers of the righteous availeth much. For this reason I make this request of you to remember me at the throne of grace. I feel to thank the Lord for showing me the truth as it is in his sacred Book, yet at times when I have thought I could take hold of the promises, some evil suggestions come in and tell me they are not for me, and throw temptations in my way, &c. I am not able to labor, therefore I read much, and study. My greatest desire is to be a true follower of the meek and lowly Jesus.