[Some of the brethren and sisters, who have not the privilege of meeting with those of like precious faith, have written that the letters published in the REVIEW, are all the conference meetings they have. This is the case with quite a large portion of our readers. This is the reason why we have published so many letters. This paper contains a large number of short letters, which will be cheering to at least a portion of the readers of the REVIEW. Those who write letters for publication, should guard against a cold formal style. Write as you would speak in meeting, in simple style from the heart, your views and feelings. Then look over what you have written, and strike out useless words, and then copy with care on another sheet.]
From Sister Huntley.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—Since last we met and parted with you, I have had a desire to write to you. I often think of the wonderful display of God's power and goodness, in raising me up at the time of the Washington Conference. Truly, I was unworthy; but for the truth's sake he did it. I can never call those days to remembrance, without feeling a kindling in my soul of the sacred flame. The Lord truly stood by us after we returned home to protect and deliver either from taking cold, and from the power of the enemy. I was taken the second night about midnight, with a severe attack of the pleurisy, in the side that was lame. We cried unto the Lord. We thought of no other remedy, and dare not look to any other source for help. I never was so sensible of the power of the enemy before. It seemed his hold was as an iron grasp about me. But the Lord was near to deliver in this time of need, and we soon retired again to rest, praising the Lord for victory. We found the promise sure. James iv, 14, 15. Again we saw our faith must be tried. And more precious was it to us, than gold seven times purified. I am very sure that had it not been for the prayer of faith, I should have been confined there for weeks. I feel to praise the Lord that I know his promise is sure. When we fulfill our part, it is yea and amen to us.
We have been sadly disappointed, and sorely afflicted of late. Death has entered our dwelling. Our little son, two years old, has fallen asleep under its power. We weep and mourn, yet not as those who have no hope. We know he sleeps in Jesus, and such, God will soon bring from the land of the enemy.—The circumstances are so distressing I can hardly relate them. When I reflect that one forethought of my own might have prevented it, I feel that I can never forgive myself.
Friday, Dec. 17th, I took a large kettle with a pailful of hot water from the stove, sat it down in the adjoining room, stepped back to prepare the fire for another kettle, when I heard the noise of the kettle and sprang to the door, and beheld my son upon the floor, and the hot water pouring upon him; you can have a little idea of my feelings as I took him up, strangling for breath; the scene was dreadfully painful. * We applied what we had, that we at first thought of, and plead with the Lord for his life. After being dressed, he fell asleep. When he awoke he appeared better than was expected. It was about noon when the accident happened. It was immediately after a storm, the roads were bad, and the distance being such, it seemed almost impossible then to follow the direction of James v, 14. The next day being the Sabbath, and our meeting being only three miles distant, we thought we should have an opportunity to send for the brethren, and we did not expect that Bro. Wheeler was at home. But, alas! before the morrow came, another scene was before us. Death had claimed the child for its own and we were left in sorrow, no more to hear his prattling voice, or share his sweet kiss. It seemed at first that we could not be reconciled; but the blessed hope of Jesus' soon coming, and the promise of God to bring all that sleep in Jesus with him, cheers our bereaved hearts, and we are admonished to weep not for him.
Through the providence of God, Bro. Wheeler was kept at home, and was here to attend the funeral.—He spoke from 1 Thess. iv, 13, 14. The Holy Spirit so accompanied the word, that for a season our mourning was turned to rejoicing. I do not wonder that the Apostle exhorted to "comfort one another with these words." Some of our dear brethren and sisters from Washington, Newport, and Unity, were present to sympathize with us, and assist in singing, this was a source of consolation also.
Husband was taken down with a cold, which fastened upon his lungs, about a week after our little boy was buried. He was confined to the house a fortnight, when his cough became so alarming, we felt something must be done. He according to James v, 14, sent for the Elders. Bro. Wheeler was gone.—Brn. J. Stowell, N. Mead, T. B. Mead, and S. Smith, came and followed the directions of the word. The Lord was true to his promise. His cough was almost entirely gone, his appetite restored, inasmuch that it was ordered as formerly that something should be given him to eat. He has been out about his business every day since.
As I look upon the past, and see how wonderfully the Lord has delivered us, through the prayer of faith, I regret that we had not followed the same direction in the case of little son.
You would like to know how the cause is prospering with us, I rejoice to say that it is rising. Our meetings are interesting, and profitable. When we commenced holding meetings in this vicinity, our number was small, now there is quite a room full.—Then we had meetings only once a month, the rest of the time we went to Washington. Now we have them nearly every Sabbath at different places, in this vicinity. A young man in Newport has recently come out. There are others that seem interested. I think they will decide to be on the Lord's side. Bro. S. Smith, with a number of others, have held meetings the two First-days past at Claremont, and Charleston. The brethren have a mind to work, are all of one heart and mind.