J. N. Loughborough The Last Adventist Pioneer, Part 2

After Loughborough converted to the seventh-day Sabbath, a strange thing happened. His business of sash locks gradually began to dry up. Meanwhile, he had an increasing urge to witness about his new beliefs. Still, Loughborough continued to put all he had into his sales. But it was like he was pushing against a brick wall. However many locks he sold, the money kept on dwindling until, one day, he found himself with only three cents to his name.

At a loss, he attended the Sabbath meeting and, there, received a direct message from God. Given to fellow Adventist Ellen White in a vision, the message stated what Loughborough in his heart knew he was supposed to do—go into ministry full time, preaching the advent message.

That would have seemed to decide the matter. But Loughborough continued to wrestle with the conviction on his way home. How in the world could he minister to others when he had no money and a family to support? He was the one who needed ministering!

Deep in struggle, he settled on a sensible compromise: He would wait for God to provide the means, and then he would start preaching. But that did not give him peace either. Finally, he knew what he had to do. He would throw himself fully into ministry and leave it to God to provide a way. Immediately upon making that decision, he had a sense of peace.

Two days later, Loughborough gave his wife their last three cents to buy some supplies. Soon after she left, a man came and proceeded to buy from him $80 worth of locks, leaving Loughborough with an ample amount to start his ministry.

At the close of the next Sabbath’s meeting, there arrived a believer named Hiram Edson, who announced that he had been continually impressed all day to travel to this meeting. So, here he was, but for what purpose he did not know. God, however, did know.

Days later, Loughborough and his new companion, Hiram Edson, began a six-week tour of advent meetings. Within a little over a week, the Lord’s will for John Loughborough was fulfilled. With this leap of faith, Loughborough began a life dedicated to the ministry for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Reflect: How have you stepped out in faith for God? Are there logical fears holding you back from putting your full trust in Him?

Key Bible Texts

Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. (2 Kings 4:7 KJV)