Living the Truth in a Far-Off Country
By Hannah Clough
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I would like to pen a few thoughts to you through the REVIEW. It is some time since I have had the privilege of hearing the word preached, or of speaking face to face with one of like precious faith, but I look back with gratitude for the privileges I have had in the past with many of the dear saints of God, and I hope and trust that I shall meet them again, if not in this world, in the new earth. But for the present my duty seems to be in this far-off country. I ask an interest in your prayers, that I may be enabled to live out the truth before this people in such a way that I may glorify God, and recommend it to the consciences of the honest in heart. No one knows but those who have an experience in these things, how much grace is needed to be faithful at all times, and in all places, with the whole tide of influence against the truth. But the Lord is good, and if we trust in him as we should, he will keep us, and help us to make a mark on the side of truth, if it is but a small one. This country is fast filling up with quite an intelligent people, many of them from the New England States, but some from the old country, Germans, Danes, and Norwegians. I have had the privilege of scattering some tracts, which have been read with interest; but my means for the present are quite limited. I hope to do more some time. I do hope the day is not far distant when the Lord will raise up and send a messenger this way to scatter the bread of life. If the truth could be presented here before other denominations, with their numerous errors, get well established, something might be accomplished; but it would take a missionary with all the zeal of a Paul or a Judson, to come into this country, and subject himself to the inconveniences of a pioneer life, for the sake of winning souls to his Master; but thousands do this same thing, cheerfully, for the sake of obtaining a grant of government land. Of how much greater value would be a crown studded with stars of rejoicing. Dear brethren and sisters, let us hold fast our faith firm unto the end. Let the motto of each one of us be,
"Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee;
Ev'n though it be a cross
That raiseth me." Yours striving for the kingdom,
HANNAH CLOUGH.