p. 199 | Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 19, 1863

Extracts from Letters.

Sister A. M. Preston writes from Fitz Henry, Ills. : I am thankful that I ever listened to the truth when it was presented to me, and that God has established me in it. I am thankful that I embraced it before I came west, for I am surrounded by the wicked. But I was made to rejoice a few weeks ago, when one of our neighbors, who had read my papers, commenced keeping the Sabbath; and now two women keep it, and their husbands believe it is the right day to keep, but have not yet taken up the cross. Time is short, and what is done must be done quickly. O that people would learn to be wise. How I wish the Lord would order the steps of some one this way to preach the truth to us. I am striving to overcome everything that hinders my progress.

Bro. A. S. Gillett writes from Elgin, Iowa: Were it not that I expect Bro. Snook will give an account of his meetings the time he organized the church at West Union, I should like to speak of them. I will only speak of those we have had since he left. I can say I never witnessed better. While some of the young are taking up the cross and giving in their testimonies, there is weeping aloud.

We had a business meeting the evening of April 18, and adopted the plan of systematic benevolence. To see the young sisters who have to depend entirely on their own exertions, put down 5, 6, and 10 cents per week was truly encouraging. I said to one whose health is very poor, that I thought she was putting down too much. She replied, "It is not as much as I have paid for superfluities to go to one hall." There is a great desire all through here to hear one of our preachers. Can there not be a messenger in the north part of Iowa this season?

Sister E. Sanford writes from Ashland, Minn. : I wish to say that I am still striving to keep the commandments of God. I rejoice in hope that the cause is about to arise. I look forward to the General Conference as a meeting that will give new life to the cause East and West. I want to see the cause advance; and it will when the remnant press together, become united, and all stand firm on the commandments of God and faith of Jesus, and are willing to be guided by the testimonies that God gives to his people. O, I want to so live that I may be worthy to be one of his people here and dwell with them in the kingdom.

Sister A. Hunt writes from Genesee, Ills. : There are some here who appear to be almost persuaded. They are very anxious to hear preaching. I believe if one of the messengers could come, filled with the Spirit of God, they would be the means of doing a great deal of good. My prayer to God is that some one may come. When I look around and see the abominations that are carried on in the land, and among those who profess to be the followers of Christ, it makes me sad. They tell me that the ten commandments were done away at the crucifixion of Christ; but, praise the Lord, the commandments will stand as long as the world stands. They are all holy, just, and true.

Dear brethren and sisters, let us ever be found keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Bro. J. G. Cheals writes from Port Byron, N.Y.: We read that "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it; and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that served him." Mal. iii, 16, 17.

There is something of encouragement in the prophet's declaration; something that leads us to hope that the fires of trial just before the people of God, will not be able to consume any of his chosen jewels. In view of the present time, dear brethren and sisters, does it not become the people of God to counsel much and counsel often.

We are to be a tried people, and in our extremity there is great danger of our crying out as did Israel of old, "Up, make us gods which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him."

It is a source of great mischief to the cause of God, when his people begin to murmur against his decrees. In view of the great exertion about to be made on the part of the Arch-deceiver to overturn our faith, or awaken a division or murmuring spirit among the ranks of the saints, it seems that we should press together.

Dear brethren and sisters, I desire a name among you. I seek an interest in the kingdom of God, and am daily praying that I may walk in the light as it is shed upon my pathway before me. Pray for me, that I may not come short of the glory of God, but that by patient continuance in well doing, I may find an abundant entrance administered unto me into the everlasting kingdom.

I own my unworthiness, and come tremblingly and humbly to a throne of grace. Jesus is before the mercy seat. My Lord has gone before me, has opened the way for me, so that my prayers may reach within the second veil. I am struggling for "life, life, eternal life." Nothing short of this will satisfy my soul. Let us take courage! The crown is just before us. God will not fail to reward his people. His arm is not shortened that he cannot prove their salvation.

Bro. L. G. Bostwick writes from Lynxville, Wis.: I have just returned from Marietta, where I have given some twenty lectures on present truth. The interest was good. Some are striving to obey the truth. Two subscribed for the Review, five for the Youth's Instructor, and I sold some books. I think the cause of God is on the rise; and may we so live that we may have that reward that is for the faithful, is my prayer.

Bro. W. J. Hardy writes from Caledonia, Mich. : We have great reason to be thankful for the light of present truth. But O, what poor representatives we have been of the truth! Since we have come into church order I think better days are dawning upon us. We were greatly encouraged and strengthened by the labors of Brn. Byington and Loughborough at our quarterly meeting. There was quite an interest awakened in the neighborhood, and many are asking, When are those preachers coming again? we want to hear a course of lectures. Several of the youth have made a start for mount Zion, among the rest my two oldest, for which I thank the Lord. There is manifestly a growing interest in our Sabbath School. May the Lord help us all to come up to the work, and be perfectly united.