UNANSWERED LETTERS by R. A. Wheeler

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 18, 1868

UNANSWERED LETTERS.

By R. A. Wheeler

When at the Institute, I received many letters, and have received many since I came home. I have hoped to be able to answer them, but it would be too much of a task for me. I conclude, therefore, to write one letter through the REVIEW. And now, dear friends, will you all please accept this letter as yours.

I left the dear Institute, May 20, and arrived home the 22nd, after an absence of seventeen months lacking a few days. I was thankful to meet again my precious family. Our hearts were made glad with joy, and our tears mingled together. My journey was hard for me, but after a few weeks of quiet and rest, I began to improve some in strength, for which I felt very thankful. For a while past, I have not felt so well. The very warm weather affects me much. But I keep hoping and believing that I shall be better.

Oh! how thankful I am that it is my privilege to hope, and look up, and trust in the Lord; and every one that will, may share in the blessed privilege. I mean to be patient, and continue in well doing. I have not felt in my heart to say that my lot was too hard. No, no. I would not ask to have trials or afflictions lessen, but I want the grace of God to sustain. I believe I shall have it. I feel that I have had it thus far, and the blessed promise is that the Lord will be with us unto the end of the world. How it cheers and comforts me.

Dear friends, I thank you very much for writing to me, and for the kind feelings and sympathy you have for me and my family. I appreciate it all. I was glad to hear that you were doing so well in living out the health reform. I, too, am striving for the same. Let us be firm, decided, unmoved, yet gentle, meek, possessing the Spirit of Christ in all our acts. And while we try to strictly obey the laws of our being, we can look up and ask the blessing of the Lord to rest upon us.

I feel thankful that I went to the Institute. I believe my life has been saved by going there. I formed very pleasant acquaintances, and I highly appreciate the kindness of all toward me while there; and they have not forgotten me since I came home. May the Lord bless them in their efforts to do good, and especially those on whom the burden of the work rests. Those of us who were there for some time, know something of the care and anxiety that rests on Bro. Lay. May he have our earnest prayers and sympathy. My mind often dwells on my pleasant stay at the Institute. May the Lord bless all the inmates. Thank you all for what you have done for me. What was given, I most heartily believe was given with a free good will. Of some that was given, I never knew who the givers were; and I received some presents from those who were not connected with the Institute. It was all thankfully received, and I shall ever hold you all in grateful remembrance. My prayer has been, and still is, Lord, bless the donors, and reward them richly with eternal life.

Since commencing this, I have received a letter from a dear sister in Orleans, Mich., and thank her for her tender regards, and would ask her, with the rest, to accept this in reply. I should be glad to answer, separately, all the letters I have received, but letter writing is too taxing for me at present.

Your sister striving for a home

“Where these partings are o’er; Where death and the tomb Can divide us no more.”

R. A. WHEELER.

Johnstown Center, Wis.