COMMUNICATIONS by George W. Holt

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Nov 21, 1854

COMMUNICATIONS.

By George W. Holt

From Bro. Holt.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I am happy to inform you that my health at present is very good. My throat and lungs, which have troubled me for months, are much improved. Since my last in Sept., I have devoted much of my time to manual labor. I have spent the Sabbath, and usually First-day, in the vicinity where I reside, speaking to those who have ears to hear, in the following places: Lincklaen, Cazenovia, Peterboro, Verona, Van Buren and Manlius. In the above named places, except Lincklaen, the people had heard but very little concerning our faith, until the last year. Since then several have had the opportunity of hearing and of reading some on the subject, and about twenty in these places have embraced the truth the last year. I can safely say that the truth is gradually gaining ground in this vicinity.

About three weeks since I met in conference with the brethren in Oswego. Bro. Ingraham was present in the fullness of the gospel and spirit of the present message. The church in Oswego and vicinity were much blessed by his labors. I spent one week west of the city where some interest was manifest. Several confessed the truth, and one began to observe the fourth precept of God's perpetual law.

Last Sabbath I met Bro. Rhodes with the little company of believers in Verona. We had a sweet, heavenly, melting time. Strong heart felt testimonies were given in favor of the truth by different individuals. The way is now open in this place for preaching the word. Some friends have procured the Academy, and there is an interest on the part of some to hear. I shall stop several days.

Dear Brother, the cause in which we have been enlisted for several years is a righteous one, and is as dear to me, and lays as near to my heart as ever. My love for the truths we advocate, and for those who have borne the burden and heat of the day, is not abated. My sympathy and spirit is with those who have labored and toiled night and day with many tears and prayers, with untiring zeal amidst darkness, opposition and discouragements for several years with no other object than to obey God in observing and teaching unpopular truths in this age of moral darkness.

I have no fellowship or union with the course of those who have gone out from us. The Bible, as ever, is my rule of faith and duty. I do not deny the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which I think are designed for the benefit of the church.

I have no disposition to separate myself from the society of those dear brethren of whom I have had personal acquaintance for years, and have personal knowledge of their faithfulness in the cause of God, and have the utmost confidence in their integrity and uprightness. My heart is knit with theirs, and my prayer is that the Spirit of the Lord may be upon them, to help them swell the loud cry of the last message of mercy, and give them success in all their efforts to do good, and an utter discomfiture of all their enemies who are "prating against us with malicious words."

We have nothing to fear if we keep humble and obey God. "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will be withheld from them that walk uprightly." "For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." "But rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings." "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busy-body in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." "And who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good."

I remain your unworthy brother in Christ, G. W. HOLT. Oneida Depot, N. Y., Nov. 15th, 1854.