AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE.
By A. S. Hutchins
BRO. SMITH: After an absence of more than thirteen months, we are at home again. As we reflect upon the goodness and mercy of our heavenly Father toward us in this time, we feel that a humble expression of our heartfelt gratitude to him is due for his manifest love and parental care for us. May we appreciate his divine favor, and use all the blessings we are partakers of to his glory. I hope we shall not be ungrateful to our dear brethren and sisters for their kindness and liberality to us. In view of their generosity, we certainly have reason for unfeigned gratitude, and to cherish their memory with hearts of tenderness and Christian affection. While at the Institute, we formed many happy acquaintances. We feel a deep interest for the advancement of the cause of God in this department, and for the welfare of those who go there for the restoration of health, and for all connected with the Institution. Especially do we feel to pray for the sustaining and guiding hand of the Lord to rest in love and mercy upon our beloved Bro. Lay, upon whom rests the burden of the work here. He needs the prayers and sympathies of God's people, as do all who act a part with him in the important work of laboring in this direction for suffering humanity. To the church in Battle Creek I want to say, I call to mind with lively satisfaction the precious privileges enjoyed with you in the house of worship, and at your homes. The interest and sympathy you manifested for us, was more than we could have expected. Your last act of unexpected generosity to us, in the gift of $50, melts my heart in thankfulness, and causes tears of gratitude to freely flow as I write. To say, I thank you, seems a very small word to use here, yet I wish to utter it with emphasis. May the Lord bless you all, dear brethren, and may each one of you so live as to receive your reward at the resurrection of the just. We hope to meet you then. Twenty dollars of the above sum we esteemed it a privilege to give to the Seventh-day Adventist Benevolent Association. I also wish to gratefully acknowledge the reception of $32.50 from brethren and sisters and friends, from Newton, Parma and vicinity, and other places. Also a liberal donation from Bro. Dr. J. F. Byington, in the line of dentistry. I would say that the means here acknowledged with that previously acknowledged in the REVIEW, enabled us to meet our expenses, make a few presents and donations, and leaves a balance of a few dollars. We endured our long journey home quite well, and have as good, or better health, than when we left the Institute. To the Lord be all praise. Wolcott, Vt., June 5, 1868.