My Experience by Mrs. Lois J. R. Sage

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 5, 1914

My Experience

By Mrs. Lois J. R. Sage

IN 1842 I first heard the glad news of Christ's coming. I was then converted, and at the age of twelve was baptized and joined the Baptist Church, of which I remained a member until the second angel's message sounded. I then left that church, joined the Adventists, and passed through the 1844 movement in search of further light and truth.

In 1850, light on the third angel's message came. A peddler called at our house and gave me some tracts and papers which he said a woman in Valneg, N. Y., had given him. One tract was the "Seal of God," by Brother Joseph Bates; the other was "The Three Angels' Messages," by Brother James White; and the papers were copies of Present Truth. I read them, but so confident was I that I could prove from the Bible that the first day was the Sabbath, that I took my Bible, determined to settle the question for myself. With the aid of the concordance, I examined every text from Genesis to Revelation that says anything about the Sabbath or the first day of the week; and when through, I made up my mind that if I followed the Bible, I must keep the seventh day as the Sabbath, as there is no Bible proof that the first day of the week is the Sabbath. I was alone, had never seen a Sabbath keeper, and did not know that I ever should, but I said, "Although I stand alone, I must stand or fall for myself."

My mother had some of the tracts, but carried them with her on a visit to her son. The peddler's wife also had some. We did not see one another for a while, and when we came together, each had made up her mind to obey. So there were three of us keeping the Sabbath, each thinking she stood alone in doing so.

I took the REVIEW when it was first published, in Rochester, N. Y., and have been a reader of it ever since. When the press for printing the REVIEW was purchased, my mother, hearing they were in need of money to pay for it, sold her only cow and sent the money to Brother White to help pay for the press. We then expected the Lord to come soon, but here we are yet, watching, and praying, and waiting for his return. It is sixty-eight years since I began to keep the Sabbath. I am now in my eighty-first year, well and strong, thanks to the principles of health reform which I have tried to live. It is with deep interest that I have watched the onward progress of the truth from its commencement, and I can truly say, If this work had been of men, it would have come to naught. I have seen many a bright light go out in obscurity, and have been led to say, "How are the mighty fallen!" But the truth is still onward, and will yet go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Then will our long-looked-for Saviour appear.

Mrs. Lois J. R. Sage.