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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 1, 1862

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 20, No. 5.

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LETTERS.

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."

From Sister Camp.

BRO. WHITE: I feel grateful for the interesting communications from the dear saints, especially those from sister White, in which the Lord has kindly manifested his tender care for us poor wives and mothers. And shall we not put forth every effort to overcome every impatient feeling, and to suppress every fretful word? This is what I have long been endeavoring to do, feeling that it was beneath the dignity of a Christian mother to give way to passionate feelings. How many times when I have been tempted to speak impatiently, have I stopped and considered what would be the effect of that impatient word on the mind of the child. Would it not lessen his confidence in me as a mother, and in the power of our holy religion to save us from our sins? and would I wish the child to follow my example? would it lead him or her heavenward?
A few days since I was forcibly struck with the words of our Lord, where he exhorted his disciples, saying, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he kneeled down and prayed, and when he arose from prayer and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said unto them, Why sleep ye? Arise and pray lest ye enter into temptation. He did not instruct them to pray that they might not be tempted; for he well knew that they had a tempting Devil to contend with, but that they might not enter into temptation. And the thought struck me that if it was important then for the disciples to pray, is it not important now when the Devil has come down in great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time? And I am glad of the blessed assurance that in the strength of Jesus he may be successfully defeated, and driven from our hearts and houses. May God help us, both fathers and mothers, to walk within our houses with perfect hearts, redeeming the time because the days are few and evil. What we do for ourselves or our families must be done quickly.
I have thought much of late on the importance of cleaving closely to the Lord. How many of the children of Israel, who are our ensamples, fell just upon the borders of deliverance. And I have earnestly prayed that there might not be in me an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, but that I might cleave more closely to him, that I might take shelter under the covert of his wings until these calamities be overpast.
I feel very lonely, as I have scarcely seen the face of one of the dear saints for months, and don't know when I shall see another. But I feel that I love the Lord and love his truth and his dear people, and greatly desire to have some humble place with them, both here and hereafter. Is there no kind undershepherd whose duty it is to visit and look after the poor lonely ones who have no privilege of meeting with the dear saints? or must they remain entirely alone in these perilous days? If it must be so, I am glad that I have the Bible and the Review, and the privilege of prayer, feeling as I do my own weakness and entire helplessness and dependence upon God alone for every needed blessing. I am glad that my help is laid upon One who is mighty to save, and that I can pour out my cries and tears unto God, and that I can share in the prayers of his remnant church, though separated from them.
IRENA G. CAMP.
Gagesville, Vt.