Extracts from Letters

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 18, 1860

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. L. Gerould writes from North Brownville, Mich.: “I feel to thank God that the sound of the third message of mercy ever saluted my ears; also for the Review & Herald. It has been a feast to my soul to peruse its pages, and to hear from the remnant of God’s people scattered abroad. Since the tent meeting in Caledonia, the opposition has not been so strong. O. R. L. Crosier came to our school-house a short time after the tent meeting, to review Bro. White’s discourse. He said he saw some light in Bro. White’s exposition of the two husbands of Rom. vii. He said that providing that be true, he had taken only one text from him. He would have to remove a number of texts before he would keep the Sabbath. Those who came to hear were not satisfied with his position. I was the only Sabbath-keeper that was there. Thank God! every human arm is too short to affect the law among the honest-hearted.”

“The church in Caledonia is striving to overcome. We ask the prayers of God’s dear people that we may overcome and finally stand with them on mount Zion.”

Sister E. Vanamburgh writes from Minooka, Ills.: “I am still trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Death has once more entered our dwelling, but blessed be God for all these afflictions. I feel that they have done me good. I can say like one of old, It is good for me to be afflicted, for it has increased my faith, and confirmed my hope in Christ. I am determined to hold on to the truth until the end. There is a hope that never will fail. We are told that if this earthly house be dissolved, we have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

Sister P. Stroud writes from Minooka, Ills.: “I have been living this summer where there are no Sabbath-keepers and have been scoffed at, and have been told that my Bible was an Advent Bible and ought to be burned; but I bless God, my Bible is the true word of God; and I am truly thankful that I ever had a heart to believe this present truth; for I believe the Lord will soon come to take his children home, and my prayer is that I may be ready to meet him when he comes.”

Bro. J. Brinkerhoff writes from Afton, Iowa: “I desire to say a word or two to the brethren and sisters scattered abroad to let them know that the little church in this place are striving to live faithful in the hope of the promises made unto us. There are sixteen of us here who are striving to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We have meetings every Sabbath. It is six months since I started in the cause, and found that there was a reality in the religion of Jesus Christ. I cannot describe the joy and peace of mind that I have had since I felt my sins forgiven. I have enjoyed more pleasure and comfort than a lifetime of worldly pleasure could give. The pleasures of sin are but for a season, but the comforts of religion endure forever. I want to live faithful in the cause, and be ready to receive my Saviour when he shall come without sin unto salvation. I want to improve even the one talent that is given me, and not be found a slothful servant, but be up and doing while it is called to-day. There is great encouragement for us to go on and endure to the end; for the Saviour informs us that the same shall be saved. We have not had regular preaching since Bro. Wm. H. Brinkerhoff went from here. Bro. Heaton of Clark county preaches for us sometimes. We would be very glad to have some of the preaching brethren visit us soon. We are on the western frontier. There are none of like faith north, south or west of us.”

Bro. J. B. Tinker writes from Watson, Mich.: “I feel to praise the Lord for what he has done for me and mine. All praise and glory be to him that giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I can now say, I delight in the law of the Lord; it is my meditation day and night. Praise the Lord. When the call “Come out of her my people” came to me, I was not only breaking the Sabbath, but the first commandment also. I was an inveterate smoker. I vainly thought that I could go through to the kingdom, pipe in my mouth, and tobacco-box in my pocket. Vain thought! I soon learned that cleanliness and holiness must go together. Brethren warned me kindly, faithfully and patiently; but I was not yet willing to give up all for Jesus. Then thick darkness enshrouded me. I was led to see the yawning gulf of destruction on the very brink of which I stood. Then I cried earnestly in faith to the Lord, and, thanks be to his name, he heard me; and in the strength of the Lord I was able to overcome. Praise the Lord with me dear brethren for his goodness to me, a poor unworthy worm of the dust.”

Bro. W. H. Fortune writes from Decatur City, Iowa: “I would say that the church in Decatur City is still striving to overcome, that they may have right to the tree of life, and finally may enter into the city. Dear brethren pray often for us. We have had no preaching since Bro. Hull was here in January last. I, with the rest of the church, would like to hear some of our preaching brethren again.”