p. 143 | The Goodness of God by Caroline E. Harris

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 31, 1863

The Goodness of God.

By Caroline E. Harris

I WOULD like to tell you a little of the goodness of the Lord to me; for truly the Lord is good, and his mercy endureth forever.

For nearly four years I have been greatly afflicted with sickness, so that during the most of that time I could not sit up more than half the time; and for nearly one year was entirely confined to my bed. Something more than a year ago the Lord heard prayer and I was so much blessed as to leave my bed, but for some reason, perhaps it was owing to the trying circumstances in which I was placed, I did not go entirely free, and in a short time was again confined to my bed. Still we felt like trusting in the Lord and wrote to his people asking them to pray for me.

In August we were permitted to remove from those circumstances of trial. I was moved on a bed, and was so low that we were obliged to be seven hours going five miles. In answer, I believe, to my dear mother's prayers and faith, the Lord held me up. We kept crying to the Lord and I gained very slowly, so that in Oct. I could sit up a little longer than to have my bed made. For a few weeks I had felt much blessed in prayer and it had seemed to me that the Lord would let me go free speedily. On the 26th of Oct. while looking up to the Lord I was much blessed and felt assured that he was willing I should then put on my clothes and go free. I did so. The next day I walked to a near neighbor's to a funeral and back, and was soon able to work all day with ease. Surely I would praise the Lord for his mercy to me. "O that men would praise the Lord for his great goodness and his wonderful works to the children of men."

To the young I would say, My heart has been encouraged of late to hear what the Lord is doing for the children of the remnant. I believe, as another has expressed it, that the special preparation for the coming of Jesus has begun. How cheering to know the children are coming up. How blessed a struggle is this in which we are engaged, even the struggle for eternal life. And though we know the enemy will oppose us with all his powers, yet the Lord has in mercy shown us that if we strive with all our energies we shall have the watch-care of Jesus and the angels until the victory is won. Blessed Jesus! In his strength we will go forward!

Please read again "Thoughts on the Revelation," in Review Nos. nine and ten, present volume, which contain a description of the holy city. I think it will encourage your hearts and strengthen your faith.

May the Lord help us to obtain it.

Caroline E. Harris.

Lunenburg, Vt.