Baptisms and Progress of Truth in Hebron
By E. S. Sheffield
Dear Bro. White:—It is with pleasure that I now address a few more lines to you to inform you of the success of truth in this part of the State since you left us. Fifth-day, July 6th, Brn. Phelps, Hall and Stephenson met with the brethren in Hebron. An interest was awakened. Some had been investigating for some time. Sixth-day, Brn. Hall and Stephenson left to meet their appointment at Christania. Bro. Phelps came home intending to go back the same day to be with them over Sabbath; but when he came home he found that his youngest son, aged about one year and eleven months, had been taken captive by death. This was sudden and unexpected, and they deeply mourned their loss; but they found consolation in considering that he was taken away from the evil to come; neither do they sorrow as those who have no hope: believing that when Jesus shall appear, them that sleep in him shall God bring with him. The funeral took place on the Sabbath. The following evening we left for Hebron where we arrived at day-break on First-day. After meeting, eleven were buried with Christ in baptism. One brother among them had been a medium, but he became convinced by reading the Signs of the Times, that they were the spirits of Devils instead of the spirits of the dead, with whom he was holding communication. The result was, he came out to hear and investigate the truth, and he is now rejoicing in the same, because he has been delivered out of the snare of the enemy. The next Sabbath three more obeyed the Lord in baptism. Others are seriously investigating, who a week since, cared for none of these things. But this state of things has aroused another party in opposition to the truth. Seeing that their numbers are being diminished, they are uniting their efforts for more vigorous opposition; but these things only tend to agitate the subject more, and lead others to investigate, to see whether these things are so. The school-teacher was among the number who embraced the truth. After this became known, an attempt was immediately made, to deprive her of her school, because she would no longer keep on the Sabbath, although she is far from her home and friends; but when arguments fail them, then they resort to other means to try to compel the unprotected and unoffending, to transgress the commandments of God. By this we can see that the way is preparing for a contest, not far in the future; but our weapons are not carnal but spiritual. Let us try to do our duty and press the battle to the gate. Surely the time is not far distant when an image will be made to the beast which had a wound by a sword and did live. Already we see the church and world uniting to oppose the plain and simple truths of the Bible; but we fear them not; for we know that they that be for us, are more than all they that are against us; for we know that we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but have followed the sure word of prophecy; and in taking heed thereto we have found it to be a light shining in a dark place: thus becoming the children of the light and the day, thereby claiming the promise that that day shall not overtake us as a thief. Dear brother, I believe that your visit was one of much profit to the brethren in this place. We all feel that our trials have been small when we hear what some of our elder brethren in the message have endured, in endeavoring to spread the truth. I believe we all feel strengthened and encouraged to press on with the hope and expectation that if we are deprived of your company here we shall enjoy it in the kingdom of God. Yours in love of the present truth.
E. S. SHEFFIELD.
Ft. Atkins, Wis., July 20th, 1854.