Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Marriage and Subsequent Labors 79if my work was done, I might as well lie in the bottom of the ocean asin any other place; but if my work was not done, all the waters of theocean could not drown me. My trust was in God; He would bring ussafe to land if it was for His glory.At this time I prized the Christian’s hope. The scene before mebrought vividly to my mind the day of the Lord’s fierce anger, whenthe storm of His wrath will come upon the poor sinner. Then therewill be bitter cries and tears, confession of sin, and pleading for mercy,when it will be too late. “Because I have called, and ye refused; I havestretched out My hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at noughtall My counsel, and would none of My reproof: I also will laugh atyour calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.”Through the mercy of God we were all landed safe. But someof the passengers who manifested much fear in the storm made noreference to it, only to make light of their fears. One who had solemnlypromised that if she were preserved to see land she would be a Christian,mockingly cried out as she left the boat: “Glory to God, I amglad to step on land again!” I asked her to go back a few hours, andremember her vows to God. She turned from me with a sneer.I was forcibly reminded of deathbed repentance. Some servethemselves and Satan all their lives, and then as sickness subduesthem, and a fearful uncertainty is before them, they manifest some [82]sorrow for sin, and perhaps say they are willing to die, and their friendsmake themselves believe that they have been truly converted and fittedfor heaven. But if these should recover, they would be as rebellious asever. I am reminded of Proverbs 1:27, 28: “When your fear cometh asdesolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distressand anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon Me, but Iwill not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me.”At Gorham, Maine, August 26, 1847, our eldest son, Henry NicholsWhite, was born. In October, Brother and Sister Howland of Topshamkindly offered us a part of their dwelling, which we gladly accepted,and commenced housekeeping with borrowed furniture. We werepoor, and saw close times. We had resolved not to be dependent, butto support ourselves, and have something with which to help others.But we were not prospered. My husband worked very hard haulingstone on the railroad, but could not get what was due him for his labor.Brother and Sister H. freely divided with us whenever they could; but