COMMUNICATIONS by S. A. Bragg

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 24, 1856

COMMUNICATIONS.

By S. A. Bragg

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."

From Bro. Bragg.

WE are thankful that there is one paper devoted to the spread of the great and solemn truths of the Third Angel's Message. We were not a little comforted in reading the piece from Bro. R. F. Cottrell in No. 22, Vol VII, and think it should be re-published.

We have of late received additional light upon the nature and time of the fifth everlasting kingdom, and believe this investigation will result in good. It will make the truth clearer to the honest seeker, and discover the unbelief of those who are not with the people of God.

There are specimens upon record, of the same blindness that exists at the present time. Jesus told the Jews, if they died in their sins, "Whither I go ye cannot come." They asked, Will he kill himself?

John viii, 21, 22. They professed great faith in the promises made to Abraham, but in their blindness they failed to understand them, and thought it impossible for Christ to leave the earth, as did a professed teacher of the Third Angel's Message, who said that the saints would never leave the earth, and asked, "How could they?" I answer, Caught up, as was Jesus, to meet the Lord in the air, to receive the inheritance reserved in heaven. 1 Thess. iv, 17; 1 Pet. i, 4.

This reminds me of the unbelief manifested by fifty sons of the prophets after Elijah was translated. They went in search of him, fearing that the Spirit of the Lord had taken him up and cast him upon some mountain.

The voice of the good Shepherd will gather his flock, and not one kernel of wheat will be lost, and it will be accomplished in the time Jesus has allotted, during his priestly office in the heavenly Sanctuary, without the unnecessary appendage of the "Age to Come." Matt. xiii, 39. "The harvest is the end of the world."

When the announcement is made, He that is unjust, let him be unjust still, he which is filthy, let him be filthy still, and Jesus comes out and confers the everlasting blessing upon his people, all will have been accomplished for a guilty world that could be. "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Matt. xiii, 43.

I am glad there is truth for us to anchor upon which strengthens, encourages and imparts comfort to the remnant. My desire is to receive the whole truth and live it out, and triumph with it; for it will prevail and bear away a glorious victory.

Soon after we arrived at this place we were cheered and encouraged by a visit from Bro. Bates, who spoke to the people here. I believe his labor was not in vain. He also spent two Sabbaths with the brethren at Aztalan. They were revived and strengthened under his labors.

The little church there feel more the force of the Third Angel's Message, and the need of preparing for the events just before us. They have again commenced meetings on the Sabbath and every Wednesday evening, which are more interesting and profitable since our brother's labors.

Yours in hope of being received when Jesus returns from the wedding, and sit down with the redeemed at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

S. A. BRAGG.

Lake Mills, Wis.