F. M. BRAGG by F. M. Bragg

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 11, 1861

F. M. BRAGG

By F. M. Bragg

From Sister Bragg.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Your cheering communications through the Review have often encouraged me to press on. Through the goodness and tender mercy of our heavenly Father I am still striving to overcome. When I get a glimpse of what is preparing for the finally faithful I feel that I must endure to the end. Nothing is too dear to sacrifice for an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of God. There the saints of all ages will meet. The prophets and apostles, all the worthies that have long lain in the dust of the earth, and those that were near and dear in this life, who have fallen asleep, will come forth to eternal life, and with the righteous living be caught up to meet Jesus. Blessed anticipation!

Ofttimes I ask myself, shall I be found worthy to escape the things coming on the earth and join this heavenly throng? At times I feel poor, miserable, blind, and in need of all things, but while I look at my poverty and unworthiness all seems dark before me. Again, by faith, I behold my Redeemer wounded and bruised for me. Precious Saviour! He has of late done much for me. His grace has sustained me in deep affliction and great depression of spirits in bodily infirmity. The Lord is my help, I will trust in him though he slay me. "His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord."

I am often reminded of the fitting truths God has been pleased to give the remnant by revelations in this solemn time. They are searching truths to my heart. They are truths by which I would square my life. I see no danger of thinking too much of them, or of heeding them too strictly. It causes us great grief to see some draw off from the body and find fault with those God has placed to lead the remnant in this great work. Rather should they be in high reputation for their work's sake. The wise man says that a wise reprover is a jewel upon an obedient ear. Prov. xxv, 12.

Some have given up the truth wholly. One truth after another was yielded. The first step was to find fault with some message given, or the manner in which it was given, then sympathizing with those corrected, until self-will controlled the judgment and they were left in the dark. If the half-hearted would search their own hearts they would find enough to do before casting the mote from their brother's eye. This spirit of fault-finding leads me to examine my own heart and to plead at a throne of grace for more faith and heavenly wisdom. O for the "wisdom of the serpent and harmlessness of the dove," with which to meet the enemies of the cross. How eagerly they catch every thing that can be made to appear evil and swallow it as a sweet morsel. But in the language of the Apostle, "Only let your conversation be as becoming the gospel of Christ, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Phil. i, 27–29.

F. M. BRAGG

Cambridge, Wis.