Sister Waggoner’s Testimony
By M. E. Waggoner
Bro. White: I love from week to week to read in the Review the cheering testimonies of the saints scattered abroad. I too feel like casting in my mite, although weak and unworthy. I feel like pressing forward with God's people, although I realize that the way is strait and narrow which leads to eternal life. I would say in the language of the Psalmist that "I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my supplication. The sorrows of death compassed me, the pains of hell gat hold upon me. I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord." While a careless sinner, by sickness I was brought to feel the need of a Saviour. Typhoid fever was my disease, and I was unconscious for a time. Suddenly I aroused as if from sleep, and felt that I must die without any hope in God. All the horrors of the second death seemed to be hanging around me. My mother clasped my hand, and said that it was growing cold. My eyes were dim, and my friends thought I was soon to leave them. It was an awful thought to me to think of being lost. I had no faith to ask the Lord to save me, after I had spent all my life in sin. My only hope was in the preservation of life. I commenced pleading with the Lord to restore me to health. I cared not then who heard me pray. I only wished that the Lord would answer me, and I believe he did deign to hear a poor sinner's prayer and come to my relief; for from that moment I began to recover. I continued in secret prayer, but almost three months elapsed before I felt that my sins were forgiven. I cared nothing for the things of earth. I was continually thinking of my sad condition without a Christian's hope. I thought that I would freely give the whole world, if I possessed it, for the evidence that my name was written in heaven. Despair seemed to settle upon me. It seemed an impossibility for any person to be holy enough to obtain the great reward that was promised to God's people. Finally I began to have hope in my own case, and cast myself upon the mercies of God. I then felt that the burden of sin which I had so long carried was rolled off, and I could rejoice in a Saviour's pardoning love. For a few months I enjoyed that peace which the world can neither give nor take away. Everything seemed to pass on smoothly, and I began to think that I should have no trials. Two years had not elapsed till I was somewhat careless about my duty to God; and when the present truth found me I was in a measure drinking into the spirit of the world. My heart glows with gratitude to God for his long-suffering and tender mercy toward me. I feel to adopt the language of the poet, and say, "I love to think on mercies past,
And future good implore;
And all my cares and sorrows cast
On Him whom I adore." Deeply do I regret that I have not made more advancement in the Christian life. My mind has been dwelling upon darkness when it should have been upon the precious truths of God's word. I am glad that I have seen my folly, and realize the importance of hearing cheerfully the trials of the way, that I may finally obtain the reward of the overcomers. I used to think I had so many trials I was doing right to be sad all the time. My brethren and sisters have urged upon me to arise above this feeling which was destroying me. I thought I tried to be cheerful, and would feel better for a short time; but before I was aware of it, would sink down in discouragement worse than before. My mind was impaired by sickness, and I had so long indulged in those feelings that I had no strength to arise above them. I am glad that the Lord has given me health and strength sufficient to arise above despondency. I now feel that I have a great work to do if I ever overcome. I wish to say to my friends who have taken an interest in my welfare, and tried to cheer me in my hours of sadness, that I am thankful for their counsel, and am sorry that I have not profited more by it in the past. I am glad that it is not too late for wrongs to be righted, and that Jesus is still pleading for sinners. I do feel that we are living in a solemn time, and want to realize it more. I fear that the people of God in Ohio are not awake to the signs of the times. I can but say, Lord, help me to arouse before it is too late. I feel resolved that in the strength of Israel's God I will try to go through with his dear people. This world is a place of sorrow and trial. I am glad there is rest for the weary, a home for the homeless ones. These thoughts cheer me when I feel lonely and have no earthly friend to counsel with. The time will not be long that we shall have to toil on here. I am glad that there is a hope that can buoy up the sinking spirits amid war and distress of nations. I feel a sweet submission in my heart to the will of my heavenly Father. A few weeks ago duty called upon me to visit my relatives and attend upon them in sickness. They are out of the truth, and without hope in God. While watching over them I could not refrain from weeping because they had nothing to sustain them. Give me a hope in the Lord in the hour of distress. I value it more than all besides. "The friends I love may turn from me,
Their words unkind may pierce me through,
But this my daily prayer shall be,
Forgive, they know not what they do."
Your unworthy sister in hope of eternal life.
M. E. Waggoner.
Gilboa, Ohio.