p. 71 | LETTERS by I. D. Van Horn

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 27, 1863

LETTERS.

By I. D. Van Horn

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."

From Bro. Van Horn.

Bro. White: I desire to express a few thoughts to the brethren and sisters through the Review.

I am prepared to say at the present time, that my desire for the future inheritance of the saints is increasing; and I am also prepared to testify that religion is a reality, just as real, for what I know, as any literal act in daily life.

Nearly four years ago the light of heavenly truth beamed into my mind, and opened a channel there that I hope may never be closed up. Out of chaos and confusion on Bible subjects, it has established reality and order. And may I ever remain in such a frame of mind as to give all praise and honor and glory unto God; for truly it is his work. Praise his name!

But I know by experience in the past that we cannot trust alone to a happy flight of feeling as an evidence of our acceptance with God. Here we are very apt to be deceived; for Satan, knowing our nature, will urge us to perform a good act, and at the same time influence us to think that we shall receive a great reward for it, when our feelings will rise into joyful expectation; and, resulting only from our own selfish motive, we become self-exalted, and finally fall from the favor of God. I do not mean by this that there is no feeling in religion. But as a contrast with the above, when we feel the influence of God's Spirit, we also feel our nothingness in his sight, our dependence upon him for the blessings we receive, and with humility and love we give him all the glory.

I believe there is also another way of knowing our acceptance with God. It is by carefully studying his holy word, and thereby gaining a knowledge of the plan of salvation, and carrying out in our lives what we learn.

Says God, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Hosea iv, 6. Again, Peter says, "Add to your faith virtue, and to virtue, knowledge," &c.; "for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." Here we find an evidence of our acceptance by knowing and performing the will of God. Again, we may know God by keeping his commandments." 1 John ii, 3.

"And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he has given us." Chap. iii, 24.

Dear brethren, let us strive to gain a thorough knowledge of present truth, that we may always be ready to give a reason of our hope with meekness and fear. Then we shall enjoy the blessing of God, and have the influence of his Spirit to guide our steps as we pass down through the time of trouble. There is a dark and cloudy future before us; but let us remember that there is light and glory in heaven. May we all strive to gain the saints' inheritance by performing what the Lord has shown us to be necessary, in order to obtain an entrance there.

"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land; but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Isa. i, 19, 20.

I. D. VAN HORN.