ELLEN A. SEELY by Ellen A. Seely

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 23, 1863

ELLEN A. SEELY

By Ellen A. Seely

From Sister Seely.

Bro. WHITE: My heart has been cheered and strengthened while reading the Review from week to week, and thinking perhaps it was my duty, as well as that of others, to contribute something to its pages.

Twenty-two years have elapsed since I sought and found forgiveness of my sins through the all-atoning blood of Christ. Ever since I have endeavored to walk worthy as a disciple of that blessed Saviour who "died that I might live." Many times I have been led to mourn over my coldness, and backwardness in the things which pertain to the eternal welfare of my soul. I was early taught the faith of the F. W. Baptists and was a member of that society seven years. Since 1851, I have been a member of a Congregational Church. Five years since, the faith of the S. D. Adventists was advocated in the town where I resided. Books were given me to read, but I did not peruse them as I should have done, had my mind been free from prejudice. I regarded the leaders of the doctrine as none of the Lo here's! and Lo there's! Nearly three years I have had access to the Review, but did not read it until induced to out of curiosity, and the want of other reading to peruse. As I read its pages from week to week my mind was not at rest.

Sunday was the Sabbath no longer. I made every effort to make the day seem as it used to, I often thought that I would give almost anything to have Saturday a preparation day as in my earlier years. There it was in spite of all my efforts. The holy rest day, which God had sanctified and blessed, and I resolved to let the subject entirely alone. I have often been asked what I thought of the Advents! and my reply has been that I had resolved to let them alone. I wished to enjoy my own opinion; and I was willing that they should. I have always read with interest the Experience and Testimonies of Sister White. At first I did not believe the visions, but when I came to see that they were in accordance with the word of God, my doubts at once vanished. It was while reading the vision of the ten commandments, and the halo of glory, which enshrouded the fourth that I was led to see the light of the holy Sabbath. For sometime I rejected the light which I had, until I saw that unless I kept the "commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" I could have no part in that "better country" which God is preparing for those that "love him and keep his commandments."

Since last January I have been trying to keep the day holy which God set apart, sanctified and blessed; and in so doing I feel that the Lord has blessed me, and if I am faithful to do his will, a crown of rejoicing will be mine when he comes to make up his jewels. O! the blessed truth of the third angel's message! I have often thought had I confidence and education sufficient, I would proclaim it to the world. I have many friends scattered through different States. I wish to have them hear this precious truth before it is too late. I wish to be an humble instrument in the hands of my Master in bringing some to the knowledge of the truth as it is revealed in his word. I want to be ever humble, prayerful, and watchful over my own heart, and be always ready to do my Saviour's will. He says "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but in me ye shall have peace." I want to live so as to have that peace, and be enabled to overcome every trial and temptation, that I may have an inheritance in that kingdom which the Saviour of the world is preparing for all his faithful, waiting children. I feel that by the assisting grace of God, I can endure all the scoffs and reproaches which the world can heap upon me. I am willing to endure all for Christ's sake, if I can only have a seat in those blest mansions, "where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." O! glorious thought. A home in heaven, with Jesus and the holy angels! My Christian friends is it not worth living for? Is it not worth seeking and laboring for? My daily prayer is, that I may so live as not to bring a wound, or a reproach upon the cause that I profess to love, but ever live humble at the Saviour's feet.

Yours in hope of eternal life.

ELLEN A. SEELY

Round Grove, Ill.