p. 143 | Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 29, 1863

Extracts from Letters.

Sister E. E. Spencer writes from Adam's Center, N. Y.: It has been a year since I commenced to keep the "commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," and I can truly say that it has been the happiest year of my life. I had been a professor of religion about four months when Brn. Andrews, and Cornell, came here with the tent. After attending the lectures for some time, I felt impressed that those things were true, and that we were living in the last days, when Christ was about to come the second time. The question arose, Was I ready to meet him? I could not bear the thought of being left behind; and I resolved by the assisting grace of God to take up my cross and follow him; and I feel to praise God that he gave me strength to lay aside all worldly fashion and to come out from the world and be separate. Although we are scoffed at, and looked upon as being deluded, I believe we have the truth upon our side, and we can go through if we put our trust in God. O, how I love this truth! I feel that I would not give it up for all the pleasures of this world. It grows dearer and more precious to me every day. Thy word is indeed "a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." It is more precious to me than all else besides. Oh that I could find words to express the feeling of my heart. I feel that

I have a great deal to overcome to be ready to meet Jesus. I long to be a perfect Christian. I want to have on the whole armor of God, and ever be found in the path of duty. "Show me thy ways, O Lord, teach me thy paths, lead me in thy truth and teach me for thou art the God of my salvation on thee do I wait all the day." I daily feel the necessity of a close walk with God that I may be able to discern the snares that Satan sets for me, and ever be found in the narrow path that leads to eternal life. I am determined by the assisting grace of God to devote the remainder of my days to him and his service, that I may at last have room in those mansions which he has gone to prepare for us.

O, only Saviour, all our idols leaving,

We yield thee room within our fullest love,

Thy gracious word of promise still believing,

That thou preparest room for us above.

Sister O. D. Washburn writes from Sackett's Harbor, N. Y.: It is nearly ten months since I heard the law of God preached or taught in its purity. Brn. Cornell and Andrews were at Adams' Center with the tent, and from them I first heard upon the subject of the law. When I heard the Sabbath proved to be one of the precepts of the divine law, I embraced it at once. I feel to thank God that those messengers of truth were ever sent this way, and that I was permitted to listen to the instructions given by them. I feel determined by the grace of God to hold out faithful. If I meet with trials and afflictions here, I mean to endure them so that they will work out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. David says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord deliverseth him out of them all." What encouraging words! What precious promises to those that are afflicted! Those that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. He says, "In this world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." He has promised to stand by us. He never will leave a trusting child of his. He says, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end." Although some of us have to walk alone without our families and friends, yet we are not alone. God is with us; and who can be against us to our hurt? Angels are attending us. Cheering thought!

Let us not cast away our confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For yet a little while and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. I believe that the time is near at hand that Christ will come and not tarry. O, may we be found keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, that we may hear it said of us, Well done, good and faithful servants, enter into the joys of thy Lord.

Sister I. G. Camp writes from East Randolph, Vt.: The goodness of God has so passed before me this morning, that I have been led to wonder and admire his infinite condescension, and to exclaim in view of his greatness, "What is man that thou art mindful of him or the son of man that thou visitest him." But I am a worm and no man, and yet thou condescendest oft-times to water my soul as with the dew of Heaven. And I felt an ardent desire to arise and be a co-worker together with God in laboring to advance his cause, both in my own soul, and in my family, and as far as my influence, might extend. How blessed the thought of being a co-worker together with God. How sure, if we work with him, to gain the victory. But if we refuse or neglect to come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty, we shall be sure to get defeated, and be driven back by the powerful foe; but those who come up and stand with the Lord, are sure to gain the victory, for he is a mighty conqueror. O it is an exalted station that the people of God are called to occupy. My soul hungers and thirsts to be there; and I am glad that it is written, "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled;" and that the Lord will do more for us than we can ask, or even think. If the Lord be for us who can be against us? Who of us will be on the Lord's side?

Bro. S. Patten writes from Shields, Wis.: I am still striving with all my heart to live godly in Christ Jesus. I am very thankful that the Lord has shown me

the light of present truth, and I am determined to walk in the light while I have the light. I have many trials to pass through, but the Lord has delivered me out of them all thus far, and I trust in his mercy. I have been comforted many times by the text, "All things work together for good to them that love God." I am expecting a time of trouble such as never was on this earth soon, and the great question with me is, Am I ready? Whenever I find there is anything between me and the Saviour, I hasten to put it away, that he may come in and sup with me and I with him. O! I am thankful for what God, for Christ's sake, has done for me. I will praise the Lord for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. I have many times looked unto him in my troubles and he has delivered me out of all my distresses. I want all my sins confessed while mercy lingers. If it is the Lord's will that I should meet with those of like precious faith in this vale of tears, it would be a great pleasure to me, but whatever my lot may be, with the Lord's sustaining grace, I will persevere till I see the King in his beauty.

Sister A. Baily writes from Vernon, Iowa: I am trying to obey the great lawgiver by keeping his commandments and the faith of Jesus. I have found that the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple. I thank God that I ever turned my feet into his testimonies. It is three years this summer since I first heard the third angel's message proclaimed, and since then I have been trying to keep all the commandments of God. I have passed through some trying scenes since; but I can truly say that I have never had a thought of giving up. My trust is in Him whose promises are sure. Dear brethren and sisters, I want your prayers that I may have grace and be ready when the Saviour comes. There is need of our being more on our watch and our hearts being made pure and holy. We must be a holy people. If we overcome, it is by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. May the Lord help us ever to be willing to hear a testimony in favor of the truth. The time is not far distant when all the honest will be willing to do their duty. We are told in his word to speak often to each other and so much the more as we see the day approaching. We are living in a time of trials; and we need wisdom that we may be prepared for the troubles that are coming on the earth. There are a few here who are trying to hold on to the truth. We wish that some preacher could visit us. Pray for us.

Bro. W. Cheever writes from Marietta, Wis.: By the blessing of God, I was permitted last spring to hear some preaching on present truth. I had never heard anything of the kind before, in regard to the Sabbath and immortality of the soul. After finding it was Bible doctrine I readily embraced it. I think I have advanced more in six months toward attaining to what is required of me, than in the greater part of my life before. We live in rather a dark and benighted place. We are destitute of preaching on present truth. I would be glad if we could have some one of age and experience, come and preach to us. We have a good many hard subjects, such as infidels and spiritualists, and I think they would have a little more reverence to an aged man, than for one young in years. Boscobel, is five miles from my place. It is quite a large place. I think it would be quite a field for a messenger of truth. There is a railroad direct from Madison to Boscobel. I have just finished reading the books called Modern Spiritualism, Perpetuity of the gifts, and Testimony No. 9. I fully believe in the perpetuity of the gifts, and that modern spiritualism is the counterfeit work of the power of darkness. We delight in the Review and Instructor.

Sister M. Alexander writes from Osceola, Iowa: I am still trying to press my way heavenward. Although I am alone, I do not feel discouraged. I believe that the Lord is my friend. Although I am so unworthy, yet I will trust in the Saviour, for he is worthy. I praise the Lord for the hope I have that soon, if I am faithful, I shall meet the dear saints in Heaven. May the Lord unite his people together in a band of love. We are in a trying time, but I believe the Lord will bring his people out purified.