To My Former Friends by T. J. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 7, 1872

To My Former Friends.

By T. J. Butler

I HAVE thought of late of a great many warm-hearted personal friends, and devoted servants of the Lord, with whom I have formerly associated, and of whom I have heard or known but little for several years, but to whom I have great yearnings of heart. These friends are scattered throughout Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and California, which makes it impracticable to address each separately, and I therefore request a place in the columns of the REVIEW, where I may speak to them at least once more.

Dear brethren: Ten years have elapsed since I have had any association or communion with you. Yet how well I can recollect the many times we were permitted to “sit together in heavenly places in Christ,” and even to bask in the smiles of his love. How happy, how strong, how courageous we were in the truth, “abounding in the work of the Lord,” singing the songs of Zion, and enjoying “the fellowship of the Spirit.” How my heart reverts to those blissful days.

No doubt but during the time which has elapsed since then, most of you have been growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth, and are now “no longer babes,” but “men and women in Christ,” riper in judgment, richer in experience, and have become capable of higher and holier enjoyments. God grant it may be so.

But oh! dear brethren, would that I could say so much for myself. Alas, my “harp has been hanging upon the willows.” Unfaithfully I laid down my armor, and have been trying unskillfully to navigate the boisterous sea of life, without rudder or pole-star; or more fearful still, like the unfaithful servant in the parable, have buried my “talent in the earth.”

But God has given me to see the error of my ways, something of “the exceeding sinfulness of sin,” and to feel something of the weight of undischarged responsibilities. I have set out anew for eternal life, and I have confidence to-day that God will enable me “so to run that I may obtain.” That harp must come down again from the willows, and be strung anew to hymn his praise. I want that talent taken from the earth again, and “put out to the exchangers,” that when the Lord comes, I can return it with its usury. I have tried heartily to repent of all past errors, and have hope in God’s pardon. I desire to humbly ask all my former brethren to forgive me, and implore our Heavenly Father in my behalf for grace, strength, humility, and perseverance, that I may obtain the prize.

Your unworthy brother, T. J. BUTLER.

April 20, 1872.