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John Nevins Andrews

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 28, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 7

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The following private letter will be of interest in connection with the report of labors in Washington from Bro. White. It shows that the good work still continues: J. N. A.
BRO. ANDREWS: Please pardon us for trespassing a little upon your time. As we witness what the Lord has wrought for us in so short a time, we cannot refrain from trying to express our deep gratitude to you for the undying interest you have had for us, and that you came, and invited those dear servants of the Lord, Bro. and Sr. White, to come here also, and that they were willing to wend their way here through the cold, and sacrifice so much to try and help us who are so unworthy of all the mercies of the Lord toward us. We are very grateful to them for all their sacrifice in getting here, and, above all, to the Lord for the straight testimonies borne by you all, which have resulted in so much good to us here.
We praise the Lord for the great work which has been done here. Truly, as Bro. Ball said, “It is wonderful what the Lord hath wrought,” and still we are hungering and thirsting for more, even for a greater fullness and for thorough work for both old and young. We want all to make clean work, and be in a place to lead them along in the right way.
We were somewhat struck with what Bro. Ball said the other evening as the young moved so independently along, and were so decided. “It is,” said he, “truly wonderful, and you, brethren, must take care of them, but it seems I have all I can do to get right myself.”
We have been greatly blessed and pleased with the labors of our dear Bro. Rodman. In our first meeting after you left, all the young came right along with their testimonies freely, others joining them. Bro. William, too, came with his hard heart much broken and tender; his heart getting open to labor for his children, and making some good confessions. We hope the wound will be probed to the bottom, and a thorough work be done for him.
Our dear Bro. James is trying to get into the clear light, and said he wanted to find his place with us, for which we do rejoice. Bro. Ball confesses at almost every meeting. He said the other evening that when he pressed toward the light he was blessed, when he looked the other way he was enshrouded in darkness. He declared his determination to press toward the light. We were glad to hear this. A good work has been done for all, we trust.
Truly this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. O Bro. Andrews, don’t you think we had an uncommonly happy New Year, to have all our dear children arise with the Lord’s dear people to consecrate themselves to the Lord, and at the family altar in the morning all pray with us. We do feel to rejoice for what the Lord hath done for us.
Our meeting Tuesday eve was at Bro. Newell Mead’s. It would have done you good to hear him speak. He seemed almost to forget his weakness, and spoke very loud, some as he used to. He is much better, soul and body. We had a good meeting. Some of our neighbor’s, or rather some in Bro. Mead’s neighborhood, were powerfully convicted; but one poor boy said his parents would not let him become an Adventist. His father is very bitterly opposed to our faith. Poor boy, may he get strength to obey the Lord and go with us. Our hearts begin to reach out after others. Oh! may the Lord still be with us and help us, is our prayer. We feel weak, and must have his help, and we have some faith that he will still be our helper for Jesus’ sake.
Bro. Rodman has left us. He staid until yesterday. We should have been glad to have him stay longer, had it been the Lord’s will. We are grateful for his help so long. He had great liberty one evening while speaking upon the oneness of the church. After he got through, Bro. Ball got up and said he felt that he had not been united to the vine, and that he meant to get where he should or could be again if it took his life. Another evening he seemed to feel deeply the wrong he had done us in disturbing our meetings in the past. Said he thought we could not forgive him, and wept bitterly and sat down hardly able to speak. But we are more than willing to forgive him. The meetings since you left have been a great help to him and others. We are very grateful for the favor. And first of all would we acknowledge the great mercy of the Lord in sending help to us in our extremity. We can never be thankful enough. We thought our sympathies were ever with Bro. and Sr. White, but we love them more than ever before. We are very grateful for what the Lord has done for them.
May you all be sustained in your future labors, and the richest of Heaven’s blessings rest on you, is our prayer. And may we prove faithful, and meet in Heaven. C. K. & R. I. FARNSWORTH.
Washington, N. H., Jan. 2, 1868.