Letter from Bro. Rhodes to Bro. White.
By S. W. Rhodes
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I have received yours of the 4th ult. I was refreshed in spirit while reading a few lines from a way-worn pilgrim who has stood in the front rank of the army of the Lord many years. I pray that you may never fall in battle, nor die of the wounds you often receive, and will receive to the end: but that you may live "to turn the battle to the gate." I should have journeyed westward last Fall, had not circumstances been forbidding. I think I have good evidence that my tarrying in Central New York until the present has pleased the Lord whom I serve. The faithful Lord is reviving his saints and the standard of truth and religion is being raised higher among us. The testimony that the Lord is establishing in Jacob is drawing a straight line between the precious and the vile, the clean and the unclean. No half hearted murmuring professors (though they may claim to believe the present truth) will tarry long among a cross-bearing, sacrificing, devoted, and holy people who live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. I am satisfied that those who will not esteem it a blessing and privilege, to suffer the loss of all things earthly, and endure hardness as a good soldier, for Christ and the truth's sake, will not long enjoy the light of the Law and Testimony, or be able to keep in sight of the Glory of the Third Angel. I understand the angel of Rev. vii, 2, xviii, 1; xix, 17; xiv, 9, to be the same and to be a symbol of the Remnant of Christ's Church, Rev. xii, 17. I understand the glory of this angel to be the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus with all the Gifts of the Spirit spoken of by Paul 1 Cor. xii. I love the promise of the Father [Hosea, vi, 3,] that He will come unto us as the rain, "as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Those who fight against God's people and reject the gifts, will soon find it hard to kick against the pricks. From what I have seen of the goodness of the Lord of late toward his people in Central N. Y. and from what I have read in the Review concerning the prosperity of the saints abroad, I am greatly encouraged to go forward and faithfully labor with what strength the Lord has given me, in his vineyard. I love the way in which the good Shepherd hath led us "to try us and prove us to see whether we would keep his Commandments or not." My sympathies are as they have been, fully with the Review and those faithful laborers who teach the whole truth and are not ashamed of the operation of the Spirit of God upon his people, producing the Gifts. "Your brother and companion in tribulation and in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ" waiting for the adoption to wit, the redemption of the body.
S. W. RHODES.
Sandy Creek, N. Y. Feb 8th, 1856.