Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 9, 1862

Extracts from Letters.

Sr. R. Ferguson writes from Richmond, Iowa: About a week ago while suffering greatly on a bed of affliction, with very little hope of ever being any better, I thought how small a thing it would be to write and speak of God's kindness and the Christian's bright hope beyond the resurrection. O how I rejoiced that I had ever made the Lord my portion. That sickness proved to be not unto death, but to the glory of God, and the encouragement of his people here. On Sabbath afternoon, by request, a few of the brethren and sisters came in and earnest prayer was offered in my behalf. The power of God was felt by all present; I was greatly blessed. The disease was rebuked. I had become very weak, but my strength returned very fast, so much that I felt astonished, and all who saw me were led to exclaim that it was the Lord's work. And now I feel to praise the God of heaven, and to consecrate myself anew to him.

My heart beats in union with his people; and I love his truth. How great and precious are his promises! and how doubly precious when suffering afflictions! May the Lord help us to study his word, and live by every word that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Sr. L. J. Richmond writes from Vernon, Vt.: I can still say that my whole interest is in the cause of present truth, and my sympathies are with those whom God has called to lead out in the great truths of the third angel's message. As regards the gifts, I can say that I fully believe them to be of God. During twelve years of my past experience in the third angel's message, I have learned much both by experience and observation. I have watched the downward course of many who have rejected them. I have also learned by experience that the more I read and prize them the more I have of the Spirit and presence of God; and my prayer to him is, that my heart may never be left to rise in opposition to the straight testimony. It is still my desire and determination to go through with God's remnant people, to share with them their trials and sufferings here, and at last enjoy the rest that remains for overcomers.

We have been greatly encouraged and strengthened of late by the faithful labors of Brn. Hutchins and Bourdeau. Since they left two have been added to our number. Others seem interested, and we fondly hope will yet take a stand with God's remnant people. O Lord, speed on the message of the third angel, and give power to thy truth to triumph over all the powers of darkness is still my prayer.

Sister J. W. Stover writes from Vernon, Iowa: For the first time I try to contribute a few lines to the pages of the Review, as I many times have been encouraged by reading the cheering letters from the brethren and sisters scattered abroad. I am striving to be an overcomer through the blood of the Lamb; and by the assisting grace of God I am bound to make my way to the kingdom. I do feel to start anew for the kingdom. I ask the prayers of all God's people, that I may never be found in forbidden paths. I love God above all others, and the people of God, and pray for more love and wisdom that I may do his holy will. I do thank the Lord that he ever permitted me to hear the sound of the third angel's message, and gave me a willing heart to turn my feet into his testimonies. Once his word was all a dark mystery to me: now it is clear, and I cannot see how people can be so blind as to reject the truth. I do rejoice to hear that the cause is prospering, and the people of God are coming up on higher and holier ground.

Bro. R. E. Copeland writes from Mattison, Mich.: I have long had a desire to add my testimony to the truth. I believe God is with us as a people, and that he will bless his word contained in the third angel's message. I am glad I ever heard the sound of his voice, and that he ever put it into my heart to try to obey. I feel that the mercy and goodness of God have followed me all my life. I am glad that I loved and tried to obey the first and second messages. Now I know that though the vision tarry I must wait for it: for it will surely come, it will not tarry. Yes, blessed be God, we will soon receive our reward. This mortal will soon put on immortality. Death will soon be swallowed up in victory, and we shall soon be on the holy mount. Thank the Lord for the blessed hope.

Bro. C. G. Campbell writes for Oronoco, Minn.: It is over a year since I embraced the Advent faith. Since then I have been humbly trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I feel to thank the Lord for his great mercy and love to me in sparing my life, and inclining my heart to embrace the truth. It has been a shaking time with the church in Oronoco. May the Lord preserve and sustain his people in this time of perils. May they be united more closely in the bonds of Christian fellowship and love, and the sweet influences of the spirit of Christ. The spirit of opposition is strong against commandment-keepers in this place, but if the Lord is for us, who can be against us? My prayer is that we as a people may live our profession, and have grace and faith to sustain us under all trials and persecutions, that we may endure patiently unto the end, and at last be saved in his everlasting kingdom, for his Son's sake. Amen.

Bro. A. G. Hart writes from St. Cloud, Minn.: I am still trying to live the truth. This is a dark corner of the earth, but I believe there are some honest jewels even here. I long to hear the truth preached again. We hail the arrival of the Review with joy, every week. It is all the preaching that we have had for the last two years. I love the organization plan, and wish that I lived where I could enjoy the benefits of it more. Pray for us brethren and sisters that we let not our lights go out.

Bro. W. G. Buckland writes from Albion, N. Y.: Permit me to say that I love God and his people, and love to keep all his commandments and the testimony of Jesus; for I find it is truly a pleasure and delight to be walking in the statutes of God, and keeping his judgments and doing them. They are not grievous, nor heavy to be borne; for in them I realize there is a great reward. I am still striving to overcome all the temptations of this carnal mind, to do away with everything that is displeasing in the sight of God, and to gird up the loins of my mind with truth and righteousness, that I may be prepared to stand in the day of our God when he shall pour out the vials of his wrath without mixture of mercy upon those that love not God and keep not his commandments. I have been reading the testimonies to the church, and I can truly say that they are meat in due season. We ought to be very grateful to God for his blessings, and for this gift which he has placed in the church, which is the best of all the gifts. He has given them to us that we might be benefited by them. We will be living nearer to God day by day if we strive to follow the instructions given in them, to heed the admonition and the warning voice which they give unto us. If we heed them we shall be blest of the Lord; if we receive them not, the Lord will turn from us and leave us in darkness.

Bro. L. Pinkerton writes from Blairstown, Iowa: I have none to converse with on religious matters, and it is a relief at times to tell my feelings. I have been deeply exercised in mind concerning my duty in case I should be drafted into the military service, and was glad to read the views of the brethren in the Review; and I feel that I can put my trust in God, believing that all things shall work together for good to them that love him; for he has promised to be with us in six troubles, and in the seventh he will not forsake. I feel that time is fast hastening to a close, and that the perils of the last days are upon us; and it is high time that we were getting ready for the kingdom, for soon we shall see the vials of God's wrath poured out upon this sin-cursed world; and it becomes us to search our hearts, and see if we have built our foundation upon a rock, that when the winds shall howl around us, we may be able to stand the shock. I feel deeply sensible of the frailty of my own heart, and of my need of sustaining grace to bear me through the perils of the last days. I desire an interest in the prayers of the church that I may endure patiently unto the end, and that I may enter with them into the rest that remaineth to the people of God.