Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 10, 1863

Extracts from Letters.

Sister M. T. H. Scott writes from Patch Grove, Wis. : For twenty-two years I was a Methodist, but never could I see God’s mercy in placing a never-dying soul in eternal punishment, neither his justice in universal salvation. But when I learned the true doctrine of the destiny of the wicked, I beheld both justice and mercy; and as I search the scriptures with my mind untrammeled by the traditions of men, the Bible unfolds itself with new beauty and interest. When contemplating the happiness of the spirits of the dead, I have imagined myself in midheaven a justified spirit, and looking down upon earth beholding the crime and misery of mortals; yes, even the loved ones of home suffering from injustice! Could I be happy and know all this? The instincts of my nature would invariably answer, No.

I thank God that I have found Bible truth on this point, and that the dead sleep in their graves till the resurrection.

I believe that for the past six years the enemy of souls has put forth more effort to hinder me from doing what I desired in the cause of my Master than he has ever done during my Christian experience. He has buffeted me by sickness and accident. I long to be free from his fetters! I drink not from the fountain of God’s love as I desire. My faith is not strong as I wish. I desire to come up on higher ground than that which I now occupy. Brethren pray for me that I may get on the whole armor of God! I feel that it would be a great help and source of comfort to be where I could enjoy the society of a well organized church.

I fully believe that the second advent of our Saviour is near at hand.

Brethren and sisters let us be careful that our hearts be not over charged with the cares of this life so that the day of the Lord shall come upon us unawares.

J. W. Blake writes from Little Prairie, Wis. : I love to read the cheering testimonies from dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad. Believing as I do, I feel that we ought to live by the day, and put on the whole armor of God, that we may be prepared for the coming and kingdom of Jesus. I can say that the path grows brighter as we journey on through this wilderness of sin. Notwithstanding the scoffing of the world, and the abuse of those who profess to be watchmen on the walls of Zion, I feel determined to fight like a true soldier, to the end of the race, that I may receive the reward. May the blessings of God ever rest upon his dear people, that they may be guided safely through to the haven of eternal rest.

Sister A. Johnson writes from Southampton, Ills. : I believe that we are living in the last days, and that the time of trouble is just before us. But the Lord is my refuge, and in him will I put my trust, “The Lord will also be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name shall put their trust in thee; for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” Ps. ix, 9, 10. I desire to be a valiant soldier of the cross, and to have on the whole armor of God.

Although I do not have the privilege of meeting with God’s people as often as I should like, yet my heart is with them in this great work. I thank the Lord that the sound of the third angel’s message ever saluted my ears. I feel a spirit of resignation to the will of the Lord; and although I may have to suffer persecution here for his sake, yet we have the promise that if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him.

May I live humble and devoted in the cause of my Master, that when he comes to make up his jewels, the Lord will own me as his, and give me a place in the earth made new.

Sister Irena G. Camp writes from Gaysville : I have had the privilege this winter of meeting with the saints a few times, for which I have given many thanks to my kind Father in heaven. I attended meeting at Roxbury, and heard some cheering testimonies from the saints, also preaching by the brethren Bourdeau on the subject of the Sabbath, and the words, “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come.” My soul feasted on heavenly food as the words dropped from their lips, and I felt an ardent desire to keep the Sabbath according to the will of God, that I might enjoy the blessings promised to those who do thus keep it. And I felt truly that the Spirit did say, Come; and the Bride, too, with all its beauties and glories, as set forth in the Scriptures of truth, seemed inviting me away, and I longed to be pure and holy, that I might be an inhabitant of that holy, happy place, the New Jerusalem, where the saints will no more be separated, and where there will be no more sorrow nor trial.

I hope the dear brethren and sisters who have the privilege of meeting from Sabbath to Sabbath, and also attending to the ordinances of the Lord’s house, will duly appreciate and wisely improve their high privilege, and remember and pray for the lonely ones. In conclusion I would say, The Lord is good. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Sister M. Langdon writes from Mendon, Mich. : I would say a few words to the brethren and sisters, if by that means I could encourage them to press forward to mount Zion. Time is short. We must be on our guard and have our lamps trimmed and burning, and be prepared for the great day, when the Lord shall descend from heaven. I feel encouraged to press my way onward and upward. The Lord has blessed me. I have professed to keep the Sabbath of the Lord over three years, but have not made any other profession until the last quarterly meeting at Parkville, while under the preaching of brethren Loughborough and Byington. It was then impressed upon me that I must be baptized, and I went forward in the ordinance. I feel thankful that I have been spared to hear the present truth, and have had a heart willing to obey it. I want to be a living example for others around. I do not know how to be thankful enough to my Lord and Master for what he has done for me. My husband is a firm believer in the third angel’s message, but he makes no profession. May the Lord enable him soon to stand before the world and own him to all around. Pray for me that I may hold out faithful, and be the means of doing some good in this cause. I want to live in such a way as to meet the dear saints in the earth made new.

Sister M. L. Priest writes from Clinton, Mass. : We thank God and take courage as we learn what he is doing for his people, and think it is very evident that he is setting his seal of approbation to the course pursued by them. We feel to rejoice for the sure evidences that the Lord is still leading this people. All our sympathies are with them. This people is our people, and their God is our God. We want to go through and stand on mount Zion with them; but we are sensible that we are not fully awake, as we should be. We are trying to heed the admonition given through the gifts. We feel very lonely here in Massachusetts. How I wish there could have been order in the church in season to have saved some poor souls, that I fear can never be helped now. The Review is a great comfort to us. We should be very unwilling to be deprived of its weekly visits. I am glad for the tokens of the speedy coming of the blessed Saviour. Our hearts have been growing weary of his long delay. I fear sometimes lest after all we shall fail of being ready. We rejoice for the good work that is going on among the children. As soon as there is a place for them to come to, how soon they are coming in.