Persevering in Springfield
By Vesta N. Cudworth
DEAR BRN. AND SISTERS: We are having very good meetings in Springfield, though few in number. The interest seems to be increasing; and I trust ere long, those here, that have long sown in tears, will reap in joy. We do not despise the day of small things, nor work as those that may lose their labor. No, no! We expect something will be done. We are trying to be patient, and not make haste, but we do mean to persevere. We make no other calculation, but that as sure as harvest follows sowing, just so sure, in time, somebody will be saved. Bright gems lie scattered all around us, but almost hidden with the rubbish of earth, and with God's grace we mean to dig some of them out. If they refuse to hear the commandments, we will kindly tell them about the Laodicean state of the churches. If this disgusts them at first, we can tell them something about the glorious Health Reform. If they will hear nothing, we can teach them by example, how Christians should live. Let them know we are trying to overcome ourselves. Before we can do much toward saving others, or getting them interested, we must be thoroughly converted ourselves to the importance of these truths. When you clearly see a duty,
Do it promptly, kind, and cool;
Latent force, and power, and beauty,
Nestle in this simple rule;
Never wait, to glean a pleasure,
Stop for what the world may say;
If (though rough the road) the treasure,
Lies within the thorny way. Not being called to adopt the same measures that the early church did, when "none said that aught that they possessed was their own," the same spirit will be felt. One said to me the other day, Christians ought to love one another. Christians do love one another, and if one member suffers, those that are in the body do suffer with it. Any physician will attest to this fact. Our private interests should all be in the back ground, as painters say, and then the Lord's work, would find a prominent place in our hearts, and acts. I can see in the order of the Sabbath church, the outlines of a beautiful picture, and with this admirable system, I expect soon to see the picture filled up, completed. God must have been its author. And now shall we nobly put our shoulder to the wheel? bear some of the responsibilities? help carry some of the heavy burthens? lighten the cares of those, that have left all for Christ's sake, and the gospel's? and esteem them highly in love, for their works sake! and not find fault with, and dishearten those, that watch for our souls, as those that must give account, &c.! The crowns will soon be given to those that now will bear the cross. God grant that we may escape all the pollutions of the world, and finally stand before the Son of man. Your sister in tribulation.
VESTA N. CUDWORTH.
Springfield, Mass.