Communication from Bro. Hart.
By Josiah Hart
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS:—In view of the field of labor that is opening before us, we feel deeply the necessity of faithful laborers in the field, such as will feel the weight of the cause, and be willing to sacrifice for the truth's sake. Since the last meeting that we held, which was in Plattsburg, there seems to be the greatest inquiry for the truth that has ever been manifested. The leading members of the Wesleyan church, after hearing at the tent, and then attending an appointment by their request at the school-house, were not satisfied, but said that if we would stay one day more we should have the meeting-house; and we were constrained to stop. Why all this change? I think every christian will answer that it is because the Spirit of God is operating upon the hearts of the people, and the truth is progressing. Now is the time for us to labor, brethren and sisters, in this cause. I think we shall be able to get the truth before more minds this season (at least in Vermont) than all the time before since the third angel's message commenced; a class of minds, too, to whom we have not before had access; a class who have long looked upon us as being very inconsistent in our views, but who are now beginning to see that we have a portion, at least of the truth of God; a class that can sit for hours and listen to those truths which are so dear to us: their hearts are made to feel by the power of truth. In view of the call that is made to know something about this truth, and in view of the fact that the people have an ear to hear, and in many places meeting-houses are open to us, what is to be done? They cannot hear without a preacher. Again the answer comes back, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into his harvest," that shall be qualified for the work, and feel the weight of the cause and the worth of souls; who will realize that the last note of warning will soon be past and then it will be too late to labor: the harvest will then be ended. And while I have seen the enemy at work in various ways to hinder the progress of truth and at the same time have seen some with a disposition to stand still, while he is carrying on his work of detention, I have felt that we were in extreme danger of being guilty of the blood of souls. Are these facts, brethren, or is it my imagination while I look at these things? I think these are facts; and that there is a disposition on the part of many of us to take our ease. O brethren, may that "wo" never be pronounced upon us, which is pronounced upon those who are at ease in Zion! There is something that we can all do in this great work. Some may think that when the latter rain is poured out, it will do a great work for them. I would ask these if ever they obtained a blessing, unless it was down low at the feet of Jesus. I think that there has been a disposition on our part to lay off a part of the armor, that we are exhorted to put on. The enemy is encamped all about us. If there ever was a time when it was necessary to have on the whole armor, it is now. Let us gird on the truth that it may have its sanctifying effect on our lives. The truth must be carried out in all our doings, in order for us to be like a city set on an hill. I am satisfied that we can do much by our works. Let us then take hold of these matters, putting works and faith together, which will make both stronger, and then move forward in the great work that is before us. Plattsburg, Sept., 6th, 1854.