Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 17, 1863

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. C. M. Holland writes from Palestine, Johnson Co., Iowa: Two years ago while on a visit to my brother's in Henry Co., of this State, myself and companion were brought to the knowledge of present truth by the preaching of brother M. Hull, and on our return we commenced to keep all the commandments. Soon after, a sister joined us being convinced by the Bible and the Review. We were persecuted some, but we put our trust in the Lord and went on our way praying that he would extend his work. We tried to tell our friends and neighbors the reason of the hope that we enjoyed, and gave them the books and papers to read, and thank the Lord, last Sabbath at our little prayer meeting a brother came out boldly on the commandments and declared his intention of going with us to mount Zion. He had been a professor for many years.

We desire very much to be put in working order with the rest of God's people, as there are now five of us, and we think if Bro. Snook could come and give a few discourses there would be others added to us.

Sr. M. Losey writes from Tompkins, Mich.: I feel to bless the Lord that I was ever permitted to listen to the truth of the third angel's message, and that he inclined my heart to receive it. I am resolved, God being my helper, to strive earnestly to keep all the commandments. O how I love the law: it is my meditation day and night. I feel my weakness and unworthiness; but Jesus is worthy, and to him I would go, knowing that he will in no wise turn away any that come to him in sincerity feeling their need of his assisting grace. I feel determined to make my calling and election sure; to lay aside every weight and the sin that does so easily beset me; to press forward that I may gain eternal life. I want to be among that happy throng whose robes are washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. I want to be ready to meet him with joy, and to exclaim, Lo this is my God, I have waited for him; he hath become my salvation. O for a closer walk with God, for a firmer faith and a more entire consecration to him. O that I might grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Pray for me that I may ever be a meek and humble follower of the blessed Jesus and finally stand with you on mount Zion.

Sister Emma J. Brose writes from Chesaning, Mich.: For some time past I have had a desire to say to the brethren and sisters through the Review, that I too am striving to keep the commandments of God and faith of Jesus, that I may be prepared to meet Jesus when he comes to make up his jewels, and have a part in his glorious kingdom. It is now nearly a year since I began to keep the seventh day as a rest-day; and for some time I kept it merely as a rest-day, and because I believed it was the day which God commanded to be kept.

I never heard a Seventh-day Adventist preach until last June, when I had the privilege of listening to Bro. Bates. I had a heart willing to receive the precious words of truth, and a desire to keep all God's commandments. At that time I was teaching school, and expected, if I embraced the Advent doctrine, to be obliged to leave my school, as the officers were bitterly opposed to it. Satan also presented to my imagination what my feelings would be, should my then dear friends and youthful associates turn away from and forsake me, and what an appearance I should make without hoops, &c., with many other ideas calculated to keep me in his subtle power. For a short time I was divided between two opinions. Yet, thank the Lord, I was enabled to go forth, trusting in his grace to be sufficient for me, and I have found him a present help in every time of need. I would not now exchange the hope that I have in Christ for ten thousand worlds like this and all their momentary pleasures. No, I want something that will sustain me in a dying hour, should I be called to be laid away for a little season, or that will shield me from the seven last plagues, if I am permitted to live until that trying time. I feel to pray for the lonely ones scattered up and down the land, and would say to them, Take courage; we have but a short time longer to fight the enemy in this unfriendly world. Soon Jesus will come, and then, if faithful, we shall be permitted to remain forever in his kingdom. Is not the prize worth striving for? I feel that it is.

Sister A. O. Raymond writes from Nile, N. Y.: Dear brethren and sisters in the Lord; feeling it a privilege as well as a duty I seat myself for the first time to write a few lines for the Review which paper I highly prize.

How oft I have felt to rejoice, when I have read the soul-cheering letters from those who are striving to serve the Lord, and keep all of his commandments blameless. I feel thankful indeed for what the Lord has done for me. I feel thankful that I ever heard the voice of the third angel's message and had a heart to receive it, and I feel to rejoice in the light of present truth, and what the Lord is doing for his people. May we be a holy people, zealous of good works, ready to be translated when Jesus comes. It is my aim and desire to have eternal life, and by the grace of God I will secure it. Brethren and sisters, let us wake up out of this drowsy state. Let us arise and put on the whole armor of the Lord and fight valiantly the good fight of faith, for the day of the Lord is at hand and hasteth greatly. Let us volunteer in the service of the Lord with free hearts and willing hands, stand up for the truth and overcome the enemy on all sides, putting our trust in Him who is able to save even to the uttermost. If we do all that is required of us, we shall finally gain a reward far more valuable than all the treasures of Egypt. I feel stronger in the Lord than ever, and am determined by the help of my Master to fight my way through to the kingdom. I want so to live that, when the voice of the archangel shall sound to raise the sleeping saints, and the glory of God be revealed, I may with all his holy saints be ready for translation. May we all be ready, for that great event and finally be saved in his everlasting kingdom.

Bro. J. F. Ballenger writes from Oneco, Ills.: We are an organized church of some seventeen members, who are in unity of faith and bonds of love, waiting for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who shall change these vile bodies and fashion them like unto his glorious body. We are ready to lend our hearts and hands and means for the advancement of the cause of present truth which we so much rejoice in, and are not ashamed to help bear the reproach of those engaged in this work. We have adopted the plan of systematic benevolence, and find it works well. The brethren are prompt in paying up, and we have the money in the treasury to pay our portion to aid the Ills. and Wis. tent, the coming season.

Brethren, let me say to you who have a disposition to murmur or complain (if such there be), is it not time for us to awake to the great work that is before us, and to have on the whole armor and stand united? Do we not see the storm coming, the clouds gathering, the thunders muttering, and that the wrath of God is about to burst upon the heads of a guilty world who keep not the commandments of God, and have not the testimony of Jesus Christ? Then let us seek meekness and righteousness, if it may be that we may be hid in the day of his anger.

Bro. J. Hehner writes from Whitby, C. W.: The Review and Herald is a welcome messenger laden with truth. It is all the preaching that I have heard since I was at Rochester; and my heart swells with gratitude to God for such a paper, which brings from the treasure book the third angel's message, teaching the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and all the gifts of the Spirit.

Dear brethren and sisters, my desire is that I may live in obedience to all God's holy commandments, that I may be a perfect overcomer with you, and share in the kingdom of the Messiah.

Bro. D. Price writes from Lynxville, Wis: I am still striving to live out the present truth. Although, when I look back on my past life, I can see where I have made many a crooked path, still I feel that I want to make all my wrongs right, that I may be able to stand when the Lord comes to make up his jewels. I believe that we are living in perilous times, when we need the whole armor to shield us from the coming storm. My prayer is that we may all be found faithful, and meet in the kingdom of God.

Bro. B. P. Warner writes from Woodhall, Mich.: We as a people were very much cheered by the visit of Bro. Byington and Loughborough in December last, and from that time to the present have been trying to heed the counsel of the true Witness, and get in a position where the Lord can work for us. We have had some of the best meetings since they were here that I ever attended. It seemed that the Lord was in our midst, filling the room with his Spirit, so that every one in the house felt that it was good to be there. Some took part in our meetings, who have never made a profession before. I feel encouraged to press my way on.