Sister Stevenson’s Conversion Testimony
By E. B. Stevenson
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It has been but a little over a year since I was shown that I was trampling the commandments of God under my feet, and weekly breaking his holy Sabbath. With my husband I had been a Methodist, but we saw so much that was wrong hidden under the cloak of Methodism, that we left the church, and became conformed to the world and the fashions to a greater extent than ever. Our present national calamities breaking over us, my husband enlisted, and I came to Michigan, where for the first time I heard present truth advocated, by Bro. Hull, at Flowerfield, a year ago last November. I feel to-day to give God all the praise, and will try to prove more faithful in the future; for great and marvelous have been his dealings toward me. Truly I have been led in a way that I knew not. I had many idols to lay aside, and at first thought it would be an easy task; but afterward I had to learn by experience that these things must first be torn from the heart, and then taken from the person. I laid aside my ornaments and fashionable articles of dress, but not having the love of them eradicated from my heart, I soon returned to them again. I read the testimony given to the church, and after that could have but little rest until I laid them aside, and tried, the grace of God assisting me, to overcome. Having one day been left alone, with an opportunity for reflection, I was led to see the need of coming out and separating myself from the world. I went to my closet and asked strength to tear these idols from my heart; that I might lay them aside, and get nearer to God, and in a position where God would be pleased to own and bless me. Since I took this step, I have felt more free, and enjoyed the blessing of God in a good degree, and in a way that I never had, or could have had, as long as I kept them on. I think that the reform has been effectual. I no longer feel a desire to wear them, or have them around me, but feel thankful to God that he has given us light upon this point. Though it may cause my friends to treat me ill, and turn from me, yet by God's grace I shall still try to overcome and get on the whole armor, that I may be counted worthy to share in the covering which God is preparing to shelter his people in the time of trouble which is just upon us. I fully realize that in my own strength I shall not be able to stand, but only in the strength of God shall I be able to persevere and gain the kingdom. I have been greatly strengthened by the preaching of Brn. Loughborough and Byington at our quarterly conference at Parkville. May the Lord help them, and give them aid and strength from on high, that they may continue in the work of uniting and arousing the churches and the youth and children, and abundantly bless them with a reward of their labors in seeing the churches arise and press together and try to get nearer to God, and more awake to their duty toward their children. May the Lord help us as a people to arise and press forward, that we may not lose the crown, but go on with renewed strength and ardor to possess the goodly land, enter in through the gates into the city, and have right to the tree of life, and enjoy the smiles of our heavenly Father to all eternity. This is all I have to hope for here or hereafter, and may the Lord help me to prove faithful unto the end, that, though alone and homeless here in this dark, unfriendly world, I may have a home in heaven that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.