LETTERS: by Julia A. Dayton

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 9, 1862

LETTERS:

By Julia A. Dayton

“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.”

From Sister Dayton.

Bro. White: My cup of blessings has become so full, I want to embrace another opportunity of saying a few words through the Review in honor of His name who is doing great things for us here. O when I think of the jewels scattered here and there, the lonely ones who help make up his remnant people, I long to communicate to them the joy of my own heart though it be but the widow's mite toward dispelling the shades of gloom which I know so often shroud their pathway.

We have just been enjoying with the church at St. Charles, one of those glorious privileges such as those only who seldom have broken to them the word of life can fully appreciate—our first quarterly meeting. And if I never before realized the benefit resulting from organization and systematic labor, I think I felt it then. The Lord was with us; and I know the heart of every saint rejoicing in the light of the third angel's message can tell what that means. We were blest for two days with the labors of Brn. Byington and Loughborough, and truly it was the word in due season.

Just before their coming the Lord helped us anoint our eyes so that we were able to discern that our armor was not in the condition it should be to do battle with our enemy in these days of peril, and when it was made so plain to us that he was come down with great wrath, we were glad enough to avail ourselves of help to mend our armor; and, praise the Lord! before the close of the meeting we began to feel that some of the weak spots in it were made strong enough for Satan to see that we know with whom we have to do.

And when in answer to earnest prayer, showers of rich grace descended to water our thirsty souls, we knew that Israel's God was still near, the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. Praise the Lord for the clear light that shines upon our pathway. Praise him all ye his saints, and you who are alone. Praise him for you are not alone. What though the fiery trial is coming? Don't you want to be one of the tried ones? Don't you want to share in the chastening which afterward yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness? Don't you rejoice when you see the signs thickening around us, and we are counted as the offscouring of the earth? I do. Praise God it's only a little while. We are almost there! Brother, sister, are you almost ready? Is your eye on the prize? and are you awake to the power of the enemy? Yes! power is the watchcry now; but we trust in One more powerful than the hosts of Satan. Don't get weary—what though the huge billows go over us? hear the cheering cry of the faithful watchman, The land ahead! hold fast your faith and thank God. They don't forget to warn us of breakers. Think of the prayers, the earnest cries that go up unceasingly in your behalf. His ear is attentive! He marks each sigh! The Lord will comfort Zion.

There are only a few of us here but he is adding to our number. Four more have just been buried with our Lord in baptism, my companion among the number. We are pressing closer, and striving to raise the standard higher, and our motto is,—“Only a little while,” then I hope to greet you, and with shouts that will ring through Heaven's mighty arches, enter with you the city of our God.

Yours in the blessed hope,

Julia A. Dayton.

Chesaning, Mich.