Letter from Branch Co., Michigan: Longing for Reunion
By W. S. Ernest
BRO. W. S. ERNEST writes from Branch Co., Mich.: How good it is to have the means of communicating our thoughts to one another, as we are so situated that we do not see many of like faith. How often in my lonely hours in meditating on our situation, so scattered that it is rarely possible even to see one of like faith, how often, I say, a heartfelt prayer is lifted to God to haste the work of the third angel and prepare his people for the closing events of time, for the coming of Jesus, and for the reunion on the other shore. Oh! that blest meeting when all the faithful of all ages shall meet to part no more; meet where there will be no more pain, no more sick beds, no more cold forms to be laid in the dark grave, no more of earth’s sorrows; “for the former things are passed away.” May we all have some humble place in his kingdom, and our joys will be complete. But when I look within my heart what do I find? I find that this world has come in more than I ever thought it would. The enemy has sown tares. This is his work to divert our attention from the things of the world to come; and get us entangled, fastened, glued to this vain and wicked world; for by so doing he knows full well he can ruin us eternally. Dear brethren and sisters pray for me that my faith fail not. And you who have the society of brethren of like faith, and church influences, think of those who are deprived of these blessings, and bear them to a throne of grace. And you who have never written for others’ encouragement, neglect it no longer, but now and then drop a line for the REVIEW. Perchance it may be the means of saving some poor soul that has almost given up in despair. It may quicken some one to a higher life of holiness in the Lord. I speak from experience when I say that loneliness and the cares of this world often drive us far from God; but then some good brother or sister is prompted by the Spirit of God to write a line for the REVIEW, not thinking perhaps, that any need such words of encouragement; but it finds its way to the heart of some brother or sister who has almost given up in despair, and they take new courage and press on to the kingdom. This has been the case with me. God bless the cause everywhere, and save us in his kingdom.