Progress of the Present Truth
By E. L. Barr
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I do rejoice that the present truth is making some little progress, and that the saints begin to realize the importance of following the Lord wholly. Since I wrote you last the Lord has revived his work in the church at Brewer. Four have started with the commandment-keepers for the kingdom. May the Lord enable them to endure hardness as good soldiers and persevere to the end. The severe trials that have bound some, seem to be passing off, and all were seeking for a deeper work of grace and resolved to be faithful for the future so as to be found of him in peace without spot and blameless. We held some very interesting meetings at Holden and hope that some there will honor the Lord by doing those things they believe he justly requires of them. At Bradley the way seemed to be hedged up by the new time influence. My prayer is that the honest ones may see how little that doctrine has done towards cleansing its advocates from all filthiness of the flesh, and perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. Two at Bradford that have formerly been believers in the third angel's message, have given up keeping the Sabbath, having embraced the new time. We held three meetings there on Sabbath and also on First-day; and notwithstanding the bad influence that has been exerted by some against the truth, there are others that begin to see that if they would enter into life they must keep the commandments. May the Lord help them to do it, and also the few that now profess it, to adorn that profession with a well ordered life and a godly conversation. Now, dear brethren, let me say in conclusion, be sober, be vigilant: the dangers thicken as we near the harbor, although the conflict will shortly be o'er yet there are many trials, fiery trials, that await the dear saints of God before they reach that glorious rest; therefore watch and pray. Pray fervently one for another. Pray for the servants of God sent out with the solemn message of the third angel. Ask God in your closets and at your family altars, evening and morning, to deliver them from unreasonable and wicked men, and give them wisdom to rightly divide the word of life and give to each a portion in due season. Yours, hoping to reign with him after the suffering time is over.
E. L. BARR.
Hermon, Me., Dec. 25th, 1854.