Worcester, Mass., Feb. 1861
By Stephen N. Haskell
BRO. SMITH: I would bear my testimony through the Review as still on the Lord's side, and endeavoring to be an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. When I look abroad in the land, and behold the movements of the nations, and then look at the rise and progress of the third angel's message until the present time, and see the blindness and confusion which seems to characterize those who have opposed, and do still openly and knowingly oppose this work, it forces home to my mind the conclusion that we are fast approaching the final crisis, when the wicked will be fully ripe for the harvest, the captivity of God's people be turned, and victory given to God's children throughout the length and breadth of the land. The circumstances which were crosses, disappointments and troubles to ancient Israel in the wilderness, were to humble them, to prove them, to find what was in their hearts, to see if they would keep his commandments or no. Deut. viii, 2. “These things happened unto them for ensamples and are written for our admonition.” It is God's design to bring through an holy people, destitute of self, every desire consecrated, every impure thought eradicated, and the entire being “presented a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service.” To the end that this object may be obtained, God permits in his providence, circumstances to cross our pathway and thus develop what is in our hearts, that we may put away that which is wrong far from us, and be in the hands of the Lord like clay in the hands of the potter. Hence all our trials and perplexities should have a practical tendency to bring us to a closer walk with God, instead of producing a revolting and murmuring spirit. It is when we view things in this light, seeking to understand God's design in them all, that we can say with David, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.” And again, “Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word.” And more especially at the present time should all our disappointments and crosses have a practical effect upon our lives, when every event around us seems to speak in thunder tones that the Judgment is at hand, when our thoughts, our conversation, our actions, and the very motives of our heart are to be weighed in the balances of the Sanctuary. It is altogether too late in the day, and the times are altogether too solemn, and fraught with too momentous consequences for us to be found quibbling, finding fault with one another, and murmuring against God on account of his providences, because he has not dealt with us thus and so. Like Nehemiah, we have a great work to do, building over against our own house, that we may be prepared to stand when there is no mediator. If we fully realize what must be done for us that we may stand, we shall have no time to come down to the plains of Ono to hold a conference with the enemy. Our souls are to be saved. We are to carry a saving influence with us continually. Our eye should be upon the mark, and our entire life tell that we really believe what we profess. Our course should be onward and upward continually, that our hearts be fully prepared for the latter rain, we have an interest in the loud proclamation of the third angel, pass through the time of trouble safely, and finally with the redeemed stand upon mount Zion. S. N. HASKELL. Worcester, Mass., Feb. 1861