Letter from Switzerland.
By Albert Vuilleumier
THE following letter from the brethren in Switzerland to Bro. Ertzenberger, he has kindly translated for the benefit of the readers of the REVIEW. Being a private letter, we have here the simple breathings of the fervent piety of their hearts, unrestrained by the thought that it was to appear before the public. The reader will see that they are subject to some trials from which we are as yet free. Let us emulate their Christian virtues, and pray for them in their afflictions:— IN CHRIST OUR LORD, DEAR BRO. JAMES: I received your good letter of February 15, with the inclosed for the German brethren and sisters. You know that a letter from you always is a means of joy to us, and we join you in giving thanks to God. He united us in his love, and has enabled us by means of correspondence to converse one with another, to speak of the goodness of God, to encourage and to exhort. Yes, it is a very precious thing, and especially in regard to our advancement in the knowledge of God. Your letter caused us to pray very sincerely for you. We see very well that our enemy (Satan) does not sleep. He tempted Christ, our dear Lord, as he was hungry; and he also approached you as you were homesick. We felt deeply for you. But thank the Lord, and blessed be his holy name because we are more than conquerors through him. He sustained you. This is why we must become attached more and more to him, as it is said in the holy word. We also shall no more fear as the world. See 1 John 4:13–19. It is with impatience that we wait the sweet moment when we shall see you again. Because the Conference will be held earlier than usual, your return will be sooner. And we all are glad and desire your return as soon as possible. Oh, yes! come as soon as possible. Our arms are stretched out for you, our hearts long after you. We heartily desire to learn by you of all the good things the Lord has done for you and our dear brethren, and to be instructed. Our life will become better employed and more active for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Dear brother, although many trials are in store for us, we must always think that we are laboring according to our strength in the vineyard of the Lord. In doing thus he will manifest himself in our infirmities and bless us. He is not a hard and unjust master, but a tender and good Father to them who fear him. Our resting place is not here below, and we sigh with more ardor for that which will be permanent, and to be united with all our dear brethren and sisters, and all the saints, to behold the adorable face of our dear Lord and Saviour, where there will be no more sorrow nor sufferings nor weepings, there with all the redeemed to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. A little time more, and He who shall come will come and will not tarry. Oh! how strengthening are these blessed truths to us. I received but one number of the last ADVENT REVIEW. A day before the receipt of it, I received all the tracts mentioned in your letter, but the Christian Baptism. DEAR BROTHER: I am often with you during the time of the General Conference. Oh! what a blessed time for you to be among the dear servants of God. Oh! what a great encouragement for you, and how much your heart will be rejoiced. May the Lord bless you all abundantly, and give you what you are in need of to accomplish his great designs and to be faithful to him. I very much regret that my lines will arrive too late to claim for myself especial remembrance in your prayers through the Conference, although I know you do not forget me. I feel the necessity of being an especial object of prayer. I would like to send you during this precious time a dispatch in behalf of our dear Bro. Albert Rapel to pray for him. Last Sabbath he was called to do service as soldier; but as it is not according to the Bible, he could not do it. He did not return, but is obliged to affirm his faith by a certain time of imprisonment. He also is banished out of the country and will be obliged to leave it for many years after having suffered his imprisonment. Oh! how much he needs our prayers, and his dear father who is much tried, and his sick mother, who is now suffering much. Oh! dear brethren, pray for us. In our prayer-meeting of last evening we spoke on James I. It was of great benefit to us. We know our faith must be established by patience and resignation. Oh! how edifying is the 12th verse. May the Lord accomplish it in us. Amen! I almost feel ashamed to speak of myself. I have many evidences of the goodness and love of the Lord in regard to me. I know he has blessed and watched over me, but I do not find the love in me for him I wish. The old man is not wholly dead and buried, and I have to pray, O Lord, create in me a new heart, a heart which follows thee willingly as thou desirest it, a heart which loves thee more, a heart trusting in thee alone, waiting for thy return. Amen! As we do not know the time of your departure for Europe, please write us, so that we may know about writing. But we pray you forget not to testify especially to our dear brethren there, our great love to them, as well as of our hearty gratitude for all they147have done, and are doing for the truth and for us all. We do not cease to present them to God, that they may be kept from all evil, guided by his Holy Spirit and richly blessed. We should very much like to see them. I have read the discussion between Grant and Cornell. It is very rejoicing to think that the Lord made us acquainted with his pure and precious truth. Oh! let us love him for all his goodness. Let us bless him with our whole heart. We have no other news from Bro. Czechowski since my last letter sent to you. I think he will not come to settle his affairs. The spirit which is manifested in the church is a very good one. God be blessed! All our families are well. We have a good hope that this will be a good year for our little flock and that our numbers will be increased. Much is spoken at this time on religion and the Council at Rome, in the newspapers. But most of the people desire a religion by which they can be saved easily, and without being converted, laying aside the word of God. May the Lord help us to be faithful, to shine as lights in dark places. May we show by our conduct, our faith, our love, that we love and serve him; and finally may we be accepted in his everlasting kingdom. I once more commend myself and the whole church to your prayers. Salute heartily all these dear brethren, and although they do not write oftener, I believe they think of us and that they love us, and this is sufficient. I hope to receive good news from you in a few days, and to see you soon. And, oh! what a happy day it will be. I pray God to bless and return you soon. Receive my fraternal greetings. Your affectionate brother in Christ,