MARY ANN KILGORE by Mary Ann Kilgore

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Oct 27, 1863

MARY ANN KILGORE

By Mary Ann Kilgore

From Sister Kilgore.

Bro. White: I have had a longing desire to have a name and a place among the people of God, though feeling myself unworthy of such great honor. The reading of letters from the dear brethren and sisters who are scattered abroad as burning and shining lights over this dark world, gives me great strength and encouragement to press forward, and I thought that perhaps a few words from me would have the same effect on others of like precious faith. My husband, two daughters, and myself, were brought into the knowledge of these great and precious truths that God has so plainly set forth in his holy word by the labors of Brn. Waggoner and Snook, while they had their tent pitched in Washington, Iowa, July, 1862. We feel very deeply indebted to them for bringing us the good news and glad tidings of life and salvation, without which we should never have been prepared for that great and solemn change that awaits us. Since that time we have been striving to obey the commandments of our God and keep his Sabbath holy, as much as lieth in us.

I can truly say that I love the Lord, and delight myself in his holy commands. It is my meditation by day and by night. Praise his holy name, that he has ever given me a willing heart to receive the light of the third angel's message, and made me heed the last merciful warning that is ever to be given to a sinful and heedless world. O, may the Lord grant that I may realize the soon coming of my great King more fully than I have ever done.

My desire is to rise with the message, and be united with the body. We attended the late conference. The Lord was with us by his Spirit, and blessed his messengers with health and strength to send forth the warnings with great power. We had truly a reviving time. At the parting hour there was grief, mingled with great joy in hope of ere long meeting never more to part.

Brethren and sisters, pray for me, that I may be delivered from cold-heartedness, and have that love for God's servants, and for my brethren and sisters in Christ, that God requires of us in his word. I have a family of ten children, three of whom are in the army. It is my desire that the Lord may open the way for them to come out and join us in obeying the commandments of our God, that we may be an unbroken family in that bright world where neither war nor strife ever enter.

In hope of eternal life.

MARY ANN KILGORE

Washington, Iowa.