C O M M U N I C A T I O N S.
By Jesse Dorcas
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." Bro. Smith :—I have now for a few days been at home, and in reviewing things as they exist in the West, my very heart sickens. The words of the Prophet seem to apply every where with wonderful appropriateness to the present time: "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so." They bear rule by their means in various ways, but, in the erection of colleges, and the organization of Sunday Schools, not an inconsiderable portion of their means is employed, and these things have a mighty bearing towards keeping the people in what is called the orthodoxy! O, the harvest truly is great, and the laborers are few. Where are the laborers? God only knows. I do not; may the Lord of the harvest send forth laborers into the field, is my most earnest prayer. The saying is true, "The western mind is full of mighty energy, and it will go forward, right or wrong, it will go forward." These teeming millions of the west are fast falling into infidelity. Through the teachings of Universalism, Spiritualism, &c., many are becoming dissatisfied with the former teachings of their guides, and are falling in with the new, not knowing what will be the end thereof; falling into a sort of stagnation of mind between truth and error. I would gladly hold my peace, but I do not see how I can and be guiltless. There are many places in the West where the truth (as we understand it,) can be preached. Can not some of the brethren take a tour through Iowa and Missouri? Yours truly, Jesse Dorcas.
Fremont, Ohio, July 5th, 1856.