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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 5, 1863

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 21, No. 23.

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LETTERS.

By Amelia Stebbins

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

From Sr. Stebbins.

THINKING that perhaps a few words from me might encourage my young friends, I again attempt to address a few lines to you. It is indeed a pleasure to me to read the letters from the scattered ones of the flock. Five years have passed since, through the labors of Bro. Ingraham, I commenced, with my parents, and my only brother and sister, to keep the commandments of the Lord. Though many times I have gone astray from the paths of the Lord, still he has been merciful to me, and I am thankful to say that to-day I feel the strivings of his Spirit with me. I still feel that same earnestness and determination to work for the Lord. I love to see his cause advancing. The day of the Lord is near at hand, and hasteth greatly. O, I want to have on the whole armor, and be ready for the time of trouble that is just before us. I want to so live that I can have the seal of the living God placed upon my forehead, and I be counted among the remnant people that will finally come off conquerors. Satan is striving with his utmost power to draw the young into his snare, but thanks be to God, we have a strong arm to rely upon, that is able and will save all those who believe on him.
Dear friends, let us begin to pray, and pray in earnest for ourselves and those around us; for the time is short, and what is done must be done quickly. Let us not be afraid to speak some kind word in the ears of our young mates, and strive if possible to persuade them to come and go with us to mount Zion. We must not be discouraged, but try, try again. Though their sins be as scarlet, he is willing to forgive.
“Cast thy bread upon the waters, And it will return to thee; For the words of inspiration, Tell us that it thus shall be.”
O it would be an awful thing, if when we appear before our God we have our garments stained with the blood of souls, when perhaps if we had been diligent, done our duty and set good examples before them while here, we might have been an instrument in the hands of the Lord of saving some soul from death; but then it will be too late. O how we shall repent then of our folly. Lord, help me, and give me strength to perform every duty made known to me, in thy fear, is my prayer. O I want to be the means of doing some little good while I stay here. Come, dear friends, let us be encouraged, and awake to new engagedness in this work, and go straight forward with the army of the Lord, and we shall soon be permitted to see the tree of life, and eat its precious fruit, and reign for ever with our Redeemer. O what a blessed thought!
Your sister striving to overcome.
AMELIA STEBBINS.
Whitesville, Alleghany Co., N. Y.