Sister Whitney’s Christian Experience
By S. Whitney
Bro. White: I believe there are those who would be glad to know just where I am in my Christian experience. To such I desire to say, that for the last five years, especially, I have been fearing and trembling at God's word, believing that we are living in the judgment, when every work shall be brought into judgment, and every secret thing, (among God's people) whether it be good or evil. With a sincere desire to understand and do my duty in all things, I ofttimes feel impelled to do that which meets the disapprobation of those whom I desire to serve and please, and am often convinced that I do not see myself as God sees me. This experience, if I mistake not, has had a salutary effect upon me, leading me to self-examination and self-abasement, to a "crying after knowledge, and lifting up the voice for understanding," begetting a hungering and thirsting after righteousness producing in some sensible degree, that "meekness and quietness of spirit," described in the extracts from Matthew Henry, which to me were meat in due season. Five years ago last August, I decided to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. I have never regretted the choice, but feel daily to give thanks to God that I am what I am, and especially that he gave me so many of my children to walk in the law of the Lord with me. I can but feel that "thus far the Lord hath led us on." We hail with joy the coming of the Review, and when perchance one fails to come, we feel that we have lost what we cannot well afford to lose. The Testimonies to the church appear to me to be just what will bring God's people into the unity of the faith, and make them one. Every advance in reform increases my confidence that this people are the people whose God is the "Lord who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is," that their way is "the path of the just, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." I feel that if I would be found faultless before the throne, I must give earnest heed to the sure word of prophecy, proving all things holding fast that which is good, going on from grace to grace, and from strength to strength; enduring every test, remembering that "he that endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved." But I find in myself a disposition to rest in my weariness, and would be glad to know that it is my "strength to sit still," yet I would have an ear to hear the voice of the good Shepherd, learn submission from day to day, seek meekness and righteousness, and by and by share in the rest that remains to the people of God. It has not been my privilege to meet with the brethren for a few months past, nor with my sister who "walks alone," by whom I have been much strengthened and encouraged, nor have I had the privilege of receiving them into our house; but though unworthy that they should come under my roof, I should prize the privilege, and would try to show my gratitude to God.