Love for the Review and Present Truth
By R. F. Phippeny
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: How it cheers my heart, after going through the toils and troubles of a week, to take up a new number of our excellent paper, and there find the rich thoughts and feelings of some "ready writer." No matter what the state of my feelings is before taking it up, there is always something that seems to be written especially for me. How I prize the Review, and how thankful I am to all that contribute to its columns. I thank God for the blessings of life, and I thank him for the hope of eternal life. Though I am poor in this world's goods, yet I would not exchange my hope of an inheritance in the kingdom of God, for all the treasures of this world. Though I may have to stem the tide of opposition alone, I will humbly crave sustaining grace from an All-wise Creator, knowing also that I have a dear Saviour pleading for me. I know that I am an erring creature, but, glory be to my great Redeemer! in him I have a place of refuge. Oh, how I love present truth! and how thankful I am that I ever heard the last warning message. I have often thought that though I was a professor of religion before I heard it, had it never reached me, I should long ere this been far back in the world and its follies, for the very reason that I would not be likely to stand, where there was no foundation to stand upon,—nothing but immateriality in the world to come. Where is the beauty or glory of such a doctrine? Give me the teachings of the word of God. That teaches us something far different—something that we can look forward to with anticipation of hope and joy; where all is a glorious reality. How I long for the joys of a better world. There may be trials of a stern nature awaiting us, but by the help of God I will be an overcomer. The little band of Sabbath-keepers at Ithaca are still striving for the victory. All is union and peace in the church, though I think it would do much good if we could have some messenger here soon, as there are many that need the word of life preached to them. Bro. and sister White, with the other invalids that left Battle Creek, were remembered on the appointed fast-day. Earnest petitions ascended to the throne of grace for their restoration to health again. May the blessing of God attend them, and may we soon hear of them in the field again, for truly the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Yours, striving for a home in the earth made new.