The Advent Band in Our Vicinity
By E. A. Poole
DEAR BRO. WHITE: At the request of Bro. Rhodes, who has just been with us, I enclose you a few lines, to inform you how we are getting along. About a year since, the Lord sent that dear Brother among us, with the third angel's message, which, though foolishness and a stumbling block to those around, was to us a light shining in a dark place. At that time the Advent band in this vicinity was in a very low state, and had not maintained regular meetings for some time. As for myself, although I have assented to the truth of the Advent doctrine from the first general agitation of the subject, yet I had never been identified with the cause, nor separated myself from the labors of the churches; but had continued to labor with them till within two years since, endeavoring to serve God with them in their way. Since that time about 20 or 30 of us have kept up meetings without interruption. The Lord has watched over us with a father's care. He has sent the right servants in the right time to give us meat in due season; and we hear him saying, "Fear not thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel, I will help you," Isa. xli. Our faith has been very weak, but we hope we are gaining a little strength. Our trials, in separating from cherished friends and associations, have been severe, and still more ensnaring; but if we are not deceived, we are in some measure getting the victory.—We have been brought into darkness and bondage through our sympathies, and have learned to understand the words of our Saviour in regard to self-denial; and it is my prayer that we may not have learned in vain. The line is being drawn between those who keep the commandments of God, on the one hand, and those who reject them that they may keep their own tradition, on the other; [Mark vii, 5—13;] and how the fact verifies the words of Him who spake as never man spake: "Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will (keepeth the commandments) of my Father which is in heaven. Matt. vii, 13—23; Rev. xxii, 14. Brn. Rhodes and Crofut have been with us two Sabbaths, and have done a good work. They found us low and desponding. We had lost the power of the truth, and were under temptation. They left us more decided than we have ever been. Five of our number were buried with Christ by baptism, and then we had a season of communion in partaking of the Lord's supper. It was a melting season, while listening to the truth, and the testimonies of the brethren and sisters, and the power of God was manifest among us; and my prayer is that it may not be as the morning cloud and the early dew. That the Lord may guide and sustain those who are giving the third angel's message, is the prayer of your unworthy brother,
E. A. POOLE.
West Lincklaen, N. Y., June 23d, 1852.