Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 15, 1864

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. M. G. Kellogg writes from San Francisco, Cal. : Perhaps you will be pleased to hear that I still love the Review and the truths that it advocates. I think that the few that came out here last year under the feeble efforts that were made, are making progress in the good way. None have turned away from the truth, but on the contrary all are advancing. We have prayer meetings every Sabbath. I hope and pray that the Lord will stir up some humble, faithful servant to come here and gather in the stray sheep to his fold.

Sister M. A. Kilgore, having lost her youngest child from a scald, writes: At first Satan with his arts tried to have me think that I could not love the Lord under such a sore chastisement. But thank God he did not leave me, but in my distress I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord, but did not refuse to be comforted. In thinking over my former ways, I came to the conclusion that I had not sufficiently valued the goodness and loving kindness and tender mercies of the Lord in sparing all our lives till that time, and especially the lives of my three sons in the army for three years. They are now all readers of the Review, and the eldest is discussing the Sabbath question with the missionaries, and is requesting our prayers that the Lord may open the way for him to be released from the use of carnal weapons. Praise the Lord, I feel prepared to kiss the rod that has smitten me, and say, God is ever good; for he does all things well. O brethren and sisters the time of affliction is one when we can most appreciate the value of the great and precious promises God has given us in his word, which we can discern through the light of present truth. Especially are those in 1 Thess. iv, 13-18 very soothing for those of us who have laid some of our dear ones down in the dust to rest until the lifegiver comes.

From a private letter from sister P. M. Lamson, to a friend in this place, we take the liberty to extract the following: My thoughts and feelings harmonize with yours and with all those who love present truth, and are seeking with their might to spread the light.

The Lord is leading his people on step by step, evening the way, and proportioning their duties to their strength.

The gifts of the Spirit become inexpressibly precious. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. I esteem it as the instruction the Lord would give to his children if present with them, exposing to us the dangers of the way, and the snares laid by Satan to catch our feet, thereby enabling us to safely journey through the perils of these last days to those glorious mansions he is preparing for those that do not neglect the great salvation.

Cheerfully I have entered upon reform in habits of diet. Why not eat the best food, that which is the most healthful when it only costs the sacrifice of acquired taste and appetite? I find myself improving in health since abandoning the use of flesh, especially pork, spices and all high-seasoned preparations, without feeling any loss of relish for food.

Sister C. Prentice writes from Red Rock, Iowa: Though conscious of many deviations, and much forgetfulness of our Saviour's holy teachings, in my heart there is an earnest desire for a "closer walk with God." I am entirely deprived of the pleasure of communion with brothers and sisters in the Lord. My Bible and the Review are now my greatest earthly consolation. The tidings of the onward progress of the truth, are to me glorious tidings; and the sweet spirit communings of the scattered flock, through the Review, I prize highly. None but the lonely one can give it full appreciation. Pray for me that I may be found faithful to the end.