Extracts from Letters

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

Extracts from Letters.

Sister C. Prentice writes from Red Rock, Iowa: Months have elapsed since I have attempted to address the brethren and sisters through the Review, and they have been months of sorrow and deep anxiety, for I have a son, a beloved boy, far away from the home of his childhood, engaged in the service of his country. Doubtless there are many other Advent mothers who will join with me in thanking Bro. White for making our duty so clear as regards this war. I had never really doubted, but he has made the truth more apparent.

There are times when nature, feeble and erring, asserts her sway, and I am almost ready to be submerged beneath the waves of doubt and despair. Again, I triumph in the thought, Our Father doeth all things well. He is a God of justice and mercy. How precious a thing is this perfect confidence and trust in the divine will! How dear and infinitely sweet to the Christian are the words, "Our Father." The passage of time only tends to establish me more firmly in present truth, and I thank God daily that I have lived to hear the third angel's message, and unite myself with those who keep the commandments.

Although deprived of meeting with those of like faith, the Sabbath is kept as a holy day,—a day of rest, in which the soul refreshes itself by reading, by prayer, and holy meditation, gaining courage and strength for the cares and trials of the coming week. At such times, next to my Bible comes the Review, and I find consolation and hope in its pages. How often is my heart drawn out in sympathy with some lonely one! But brothers and sisters, be of good cheer. A glorious day is dawning! Soon Christ will come and gather his children home. Home! blessed thought! glorious hope! Home to our Father's house, the house of "many mansions."

I pray that I may have a part with you in the first resurrection.

Sister H. Andre writes from Lisbon, Iowa: For the first time I would say a word to the brethren and sisters whose words of admonition and encouragement have so often cheered and strengthened me. I have felt for some time that I would like to state to the remnant scattered abroad what great things the Lord has done for me. It is a little over two years since my companion and myself embraced the third angel's message. Since that time we have been trying to walk in obedience to all God's commandments. We feel thankful to the Lord that we have been permitted to hear these precious truths, and that we had hearts willing to obey. We praise the Lord that he has led us thus far, and has kept us from the destructive power of the enemy and adversary of our souls. He has said, Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Yes, he will take it from the enemy and give it to the saints of the Most High. O blessed hope! of being heirs together with the saints of all ages.

When I contemplate the glories of that kingdom, and realize that so soon the saints of God will be delivered from this dark world, and be permitted to enter in through the pearly gates into the city where they will receive the fruition of their hopes, and be forever free from the cares, perplexities, and anxieties of this life, I feel as though I must be there. Yet I realize that in order to be an heir to that inheritance I have many things to overcome, many evil besetments to conquer, and I feel my need of the grace of God to help me in the conflict. I hope I ever shall have a heart willing to receive reproof. I believe the visions are an important part of the third angel's message, and will bring God's people to the unity of the faith, if heeded as they should be. I want to be found with clean hands and a pure heart when the Lord comes to take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.