Important Correspondence.
By John Nevins Andrews
The following letter from Dr. Ribton and the accompanying letters from Egypt are worthy of special attention, and will deeply interest every reader. They show how the Lord is at work, and should encourage faith and the spirit of real consecration to the cause of Christ. We are aware that our brethren in America are now engaged in one of the most important conferences that they have held since they first began to proclaim the commandments of God; and we have directed earnest prayers to the throne of grace that the Divine Wisdom may guide you abundantly in all your decisions, and furnish you with all that is necessary for the prosecution of the great work that is now opening out in every part of the globe. A short time since, I wrote to you saying that in the Mediterranean work I felt myself in a great strait between the two countries, Italy and Egypt, in both of which I am needed; and asking you to ask the Lord to guide me to a decision; for I have great faith in the testimonies of his will which he gives to the brethren who form his church of the latter days. I fully believe that spiritual gifts have always accompanied, and will always accompany, his true servants, and recognize clearly why they were removed from the church. And I ask the Lord to give me clear evidence to guide me in this matter. I have just received very important correspondence from Alexandria, which I inclose, (translated). As I mentioned in my last report from Egypt, the brethren there asked earnestly for help that they might take a hall, being excluded from the Scotch church, where they used to meet, on account of the Sabbath. I replied that I could not make a promise in the name of the brethren without first receiving their reply, but that if they found it necessary to take a hall to save their church from being scattered, we would do without ours in order that they might have one, until I could confer with Brother Andrews as to what can be done. They have been obliged to do so, and having no means of their own, this dear brother, whom I think God has given us to carry the Sabbath into many places, has defrayed the expenses with some money which must be refunded in the month of December, and in order that no increased expense may be incurred thereby for the present, we shall do without our hall until Brother Andrews tells me what can be done. It was in the month of March that Brother Bertola left Naples for Alexandria. Great and unexpected obstacles were raised to his departure, and had it not been for a sum of money raised by the sisters and kindly sent to my wife, he could not have gone. These dear sisters did not know what a work they would set going when they raised that money. You see the fruits now. May God bless them, and all the brethren who are making such sacrifices for the sealing of the hundred and forty-four thousand. There is great need of my presence in Alexandria now. Seven have been baptized, and many others are inclined to listen to our teaching. But next month, Brother Bertola, who is a man of years, will have to go, and two minsters are coming, with all the influence and prestige which their standing gives them, to preach against the Sabbath and baptism, denouncing us as innovators, and warning all, at the peril of their soul, not to listen to these doctrines (just as they do here); and the only one to stand against them will be Brother Rupp, who is neither minister nor doctor, but only a young employé at the courts. It is true God enabled David to kill Goliath, and this young brother is very full of the Spirit; but these two great men will do their best to crush him and frighten the weak ones. It is very important that I should confer with Brother Andrews about affairs here as soon as he returns. From the turn that affairs are taking now, I think I am needed in Egypt more than I am here, and that the brethren here could stand without me; but I have asked you to ask the Lord for me. If he indicates Egypt, I should go there to work permanently, as the work does not tell if it is not followed up for a considerable time. With much Christian love from my wife and from the brethren here, believe me yours in the hope of the kingdom.