Communication from Bro. Gurney.
By H. S. Gurney
BRO. SMITH:—There is no better way to defeat heresy than by establishing truth. The sentiment of Newton illustrates this point; viz., "One professes to fill a bushel with tares; now if I can fill it first with wheat I shall defy his attempts." I think I was never more interested to know the whole truth relative to the present time, future events, and the preparation necessary to meet the162Lord, than at the present time. Truth established by thus saith the Lord, the joint testimony of his witnesses, or a harmonious chain of events fulfilling prophecy causes a spring of joy in my heart, inspires confidence in God and his word and makes me feel that we have a foundation that will stand against the violence of the storm. God will vindicate his chosen. "Yet the Son of man will come, and will he find faith on the earth?" I tremble in view of what threatens the faith of the elect. Almost every principle destructive to genuine faith is now interesting the community, and their increasing strength is by the arch deceiver brought to bear against the faith of those seeking for truth. We cannot be too well guarded against influences destructive of faith in those truths developed in the closing scenes of the present dispensation. The Devil will work with all deceivableness, which implies perils on every hand. Jesus multiplies exhortations on watchfulness in view of his second coming. Paul saw the perils of the last days and the danger of our being overtaken as a thief. This is not the time to sleep. We are in the last days, of which Jesus, the prophets and apostles have spoken. The signs of the times are very discernable by those who watch. Again, Paul says to Timothy, "All scripture is given by inspiration . . . that the man of God may be perfect," &c., yet John's vision on the isle of Patmos was a very important addition to scripture testimony. Jesus said, Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Again, If I go away I will send the Comforter and he shall lead you into all truth. The Scriptures must be understood in their most literal, obvious sense. The natural man endowed with common sense may understand the Scriptures in their literal applications. Said the discriminating infidel, "If the Bible be true, Mr. Miller's theory on time is correct." But there are particular portions of Scripture applicable to different ages of the world's history. As it was in the days of Noah, a warning was given; as it was in the days of Lot, a warning was given; and we might add, as it was with the children of Israel when they left Egyptian bondage; as it was in the days of Jonah; as it was in regard to the destruction of Jerusalem; a particular portion of truth was applicable; so shall it be in the end of the world. Blessed are those servants who have carefully sought the aid of the Spirit to enable them to rightly divide the word of truth and give to each their portion in due season. But I wish to be exceedingly careful how I prescribe the manner of the Spirit's operation; there are diversities of gifts; but the Spirit is one; and God distributeth to every one as he pleaseth. In the midst of great darkness when Satan works with power and lying wonders, and the faith of God's people is endangered on every hand, and God's word seems to die upon the ears of those who hear; it is reasonable then to expect that God will manifest his power in a special manner through the gifts of the Spirit in order to save his people from threatening evils. O that self would bow in the dust and we be ready to say, "speak, Lord, thy servant heareth." H. S. GURNEY.
North Fairhaven, Mass., Feb. 10th, 1856.