Z. NICOLA by Z. NICOLA.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 29, 1867

Z. NICOLA

By Z. NICOLA.

From Bro. Nicola.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: As God has enjoined it upon us “to speak often to each other,” and as I have not the privilege of meeting with those of like faith, and as there is a part of the Review designed for that purpose, I will improve my privilege. When we left our brethren in Iowa, whom we love, for New York, we thought it a good opportunity to visit the brethren in Battle Creek. Here we found the brethren zealously at work for the promotion of the cause of God, at home and elsewhere. What we saw there did not make us feel like drawing back, as some in Iowa have said, but it made us feel like saying that this is the people of God, and by the help of God we will go through with them to the kingdom. We also visited the Health Institution, where our faith was again strengthened from the friendly and courteous manner of the managers and assistants, and the efforts put forth to make all happy and comfortable without any respect of persons. We were led to believe that the Lord has his guiding hand over that Institution. Since that visit, now about three months, we have had but few privileges of meeting with those of like faith. We met with the brethren at Lancaster, in their Quarterly Meeting, where our faith was again strengthened to find a people raised up in different countries, and under different influences, to see them all of one faith and one hope, and to see those that are strangers in the flesh joined together with such love and affection.

If we keep awake to the signs of the times, and the teachings of the Scriptures, we shall see things occurring around us every day that are calculated to strengthen our faith. When we are among the churches of the present day, and see their cold and formal manner of worship, and the pains they take to exalt themselves before men, I am more confirmed that we are living in the last days. Paul says: “In the last days men shall be lovers of their own selves,” &c. Paul gives some of the reasons why the last days are to be perilous, and we brethren are in danger as well as others. If Satan can get us to have too exalted an opinion of ourselves, or to let some of the pleasures of this world have too prominent a place in our hearts, just enough to shut us out of the kingdom, he has gained his object. This is a point that will bear a very close investigation. Let us therefore always keep the love of God and his truth uppermost in our hearts.

Again, when I look into the world at large, and see all of the sins spoken of by Paul in 2 Tim. iii. 1–5, and hear the name of God blasphemed, from the old gray-headed man down to the little child just learning to lisp the name of God, and think that this is a fulfilment of what the apostle said would be in the last days, my faith is again strengthened. In view of these things, and the many other evidences we have, I feel like saying, We are on the right road; we have the truth. And when I read the cheering letters in the Review, it encourages me, and I feel like communing with you, that I will, by the help of the Lord, try to live out these truths which the Lord in his mercy has given us. I thank God for his goodness and mercy toward us, and that he is willing to meet with us though we are alone and have not the society of brethren. I would say to the lonely one, Courage brother or sister. The Lord is a present help in time of need, and he will see us safe through; never fear. Pray for us.

Your brother striving for the kingdom.

Z. NICOLA

East Rush, N. Y.