DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Time progresses, and how do we keep pace in carrying our part of the work which is revealed on the principle of benevolence and obedience? Where this principle is not carried with us, it will be hard mending it by and by. The cause of truth lays near my heart. And if I had the means to advance it, it should not suffer. But there is power in the prayer of faith, and God has been pleased to bless in a wonderful manner, the little means that has been in use, and he will still do so even with the widow's mite, which was all her living.
I am satisfied (I say it with reluctance) that there are comparatively but few who know the truth of the passage, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Those who cannot see sufficient inducement held out in the word of God through Jesus Christ, to sacrifice the selfish interest, the vain and deceitful pleasures, that this world affords, are hardly worthy of the name of Christian. Christ has said "he that forsaketh not all that he hath cannot be my disciple." It is almost impossible for any one to hold much of this world in possession and not trust in it. How blessed are the promises to the poor. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," &c. Their reward is in the future inheritance. The poor have the gospel preached to them. What a privilege to hear the good news concerning the redemption and everlasting inheritance. "The seed of the woman, shall bruise the serpent's head." Christ shall bruise satan under our feet shortly. You see your calling, brethren, not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, &c. God has chosen the weak, to confound the mighty.
I have been very much interested in the Sabbath controversy. I see not how the cause of truth could be more effectually advanced, than it has by the course that the Harbinger has taken. "What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." Phil. i, 18. It is very true that truth can lose nothing; no array of argument, and false theories, can turn its course, or stop its progress. Those who have an eye single to the glory of God, and the best good of their fellow men, have nothing to lose. If I have errors, it is doing me a favor to blot them out. O the goodness and love of God to his creature, rebellious man.
A few words in relation to the cause here. And here I will say that I generally feel a reluctance in speaking on this point, for fear I shall describe a better state than really exists, I have seen so much of this spirit manifested in the different periodicals, that I have been disgusted. Flattery can never promote the cause of God. Truth stands upon one common base, and all extremes are as empty air, or sliding sand. I can say with confidence the cause of present truth never was in so healthy a state in this place as it now is. God seems to be preparing the church for a work. There is a general settling into the work of128God, a readiness to labor. There are signs around us that some have an interest to hear. Much prejudice has been removed, and more especially in Dartmouth.
If you know of any of God's faithful servants who may be this way, you can make an appointment in the Paper for Dartmouth, and it shall be attended to.—There is an ear to hear. Bro. Collins tells me that some of his neighbors are calling for meetings. We wish to move carefully. It is not so easy mending a wrong step. I feel more clear in reference to the field of labor in Dartmouth, than in this place, yet I think there are those that will listen in this place.