p. 47 | A. C. HUDSON by A. C. Hudson

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 7, 1863

A. C. HUDSON

By A. C. Hudson

From Sister Hudson.

BRO. WHITE: I write to express my pleasure in hearing the straight testimony from you and sister White; my delight in your efforts to raise the standard of practical piety; to raise the conversation from an earthly to a heavenly nature, and to help the children. I desire to help you in this good work.

I realize that it requires as much decision to talk of anything beyond the topics of the day, as to scale a mountain. It seems as if the thoughts of most persons flow in such an earthly channel that conversation upon Bible topics seems out of place, and like a discord. Or if it is introduced for a few minutes, it is discontinued when the young people enter with their noise and nonsense, as if it was too sacred, or too old-fashioned for them to hear, or as if popularity were too precious to lose in pointing out wrongs in the youth.

I know that such is much the case in the world. I had hoped better things among Seventh-day Adventists. I had hoped that they were obeying the injunction to talk of these things to their children when they are in the house, and when by the way, when they lie down, and when they rise up. Or if they do not at all times address themselves directly to the children, if they talk of these things to their friends and neighbors when they chance to meet them, the children will catch the spirit, and will be questioning their parents as opportunity may present.

Well do I remember calling at a house near the church when a child, and my surprise to find that a prayer and conference meeting was in progress, and to learn that that was the usual practice during intermission. Well do I remember the little group of mothers talking of the best interests of their children's souls. I remember my mother's practice of closing an afternoon's visit at her own house with prayer, as well as her prayers and tears in the closet and at the family altar, and also my father's efforts to sustain public worship. I have wondered why such things are not practiced as they used to be. But why should I prolong my musings. May God bless you and yours, and all your efforts to advance his cause.

A. C. HUDSON

Monterey, Mich.