p. 809 | A FEW WORDS PERSONAL by Wm. C. Gage

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, December 23, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 51

A FEW WORDS PERSONAL

By Wm. C. Gage

It is known to my brethren, and especially to personal friends, that for more than a year I have been laboring under some difficulties that have in a measure separated me from the cause, and greatly hindered my spiritual growth and prosperity. I therefore esteem it a privilege to say, through the medium of our good paper, that of late the rich blessing of God has in large measure rested upon our household, and our hearts are now in full union with the work of God, in all its varied interests. True, this blessing has come through great affliction, but it seemed that the kind Father knew what was best adapted to humble our hearts before him, and bring us into subjection to his will. When we laid our darling innocent boy away to rest till the Life-giver shall come, our crushing sorrow was alleviated by the feeling of thankfulness that it was not our first-born, who was then unprepared; and as on Sabbath, Dec. 6, we witnessed another burial, our converted son going down to the watery grave, and being buried with our Lord in baptism, our cup of joy was overflowing. We realize that indeed “no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous; nevertheless, it afterward yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

While sorrow, deep and sore, has been our portion, the mercy and love of God have been boundless, and our souls are filled with peace and joy. Our union with this people now seems complete; and the cause of present truth and all its interests lie very near our hearts, and occupy the largest place in our affections. The change in our feelings seems, indeed, like a new conversion, for which we daily render praise to the Lord.

Battle Creek, Mich. WM. C. GAGE.