[From Bro. Howland.] by Stockbridge Howland

Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Oct 7, 1851

[From Bro. Howland.]

By Stockbridge Howland

[From Bro. Howland.]

DEAR BRO. WHITE: I feel bad to see some Advent brethren and sisters having much visiting back and forward with the world's people. It shows a conformity to the world. I do not think we were too separate from the world in 1844; but some think we were. By their actions it would seem that they do. I want to be more and more separate from this ungodly world. I want to be more and more like the blessed Saviour. I want to be more and more separate from sin and sinners. I wish to say a little concerning parents and children. It appears to me that some of our brethren and sisters are very stupid and heedless concerning the present and future welfare of their children. I think they do not bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I never, since I started on pilgrimage, permitted my children to be deprived of what I believed to be the means of grace. I did what I thought was consecrating them to God, then talked with them by the way, and at home, and prayed for them, and with them constantly, sometimes taking one, then the other by the hand, and conducting them to my place of secret devotions. And then, and there I plead with God in their behalf. By so doing I found when I talked with them, it had an effect. I found my words had power in them, and the heart was touched. I thought much of what God said of Abraham, "I know him, that he will command his children, and his household after him." And what the wise man says "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Likewise all the promises God has made to his people concerning their children. But it appears to me, some do not understand that there is a condition to every promise. We must act our part, and that faithfully. I have spoken of my experience and labor for my children, because I feel that some have not been as faithful as they should be. But if they have not been as faithful as I have been, or more so, I do not see how they can be saved. If I slack my efforts, and think my children are safe, and lay down my agonizing prayers, I cannot expect them to be saved. But I feel every day my responsibility. It is our high privilege and duty many times in the day, to go to the throne of grace and plead with God to have mercy on our children, as ourselves. Some think little children cannot understand, or cannot feel; but with the blessing of God they can understand and feel too, when very young.

When I take little Henry with me in secret to pray I have an interesting time, and he does too, or appears to. Well, suppose he does not have a full sense of it, what of that? It does not prove that it is no use for us so to do. God sees all of our efforts and labors, and as sure as we have faith, living faith, we shall have works corresponding with it. Then when God sees we have that faith he will hear us pray for our children. But we must hold on to God with firm faith. He will not turn us away without the desired blessing. No, no, "Ask what ye will." O I want to see the little remnant come up to this part of the work in the conversion of their children. I want to see them laboring with earnestness. But some do not bring up their children at all as the Bible teaches. I have reason to fear some of the children of the brethren will not get into the kingdom.

There is a great responsibility resting on parents. They must be faithful, or I do not see how their children can be saved, or even themselves. Parents must carry a steady hand with their children. They must not lie to them. I mean, they should not make promises to them, and then break them. I hope that some of the servants of the Lord will be moved to write a pointed discourse on this subject, It must be pointed in order to reach the case.

In hope. STOCKBRIDGE HOWLAND. Topsham, Me., Sept. 26th, 1851.