A Testimony to Present Truth
By Bruce Graham
BRO. SMITH:—Although an entire stranger to you by personal acquaintance, I trust we are united in the inseparable bonds of Christian fellowship and love, and unitedly striving to gain an entrance into that peaceful land, where all God's weary children will soon meet together. It is now more than two years since, I humbly believe, God in infinite mercy turned my heart from vainly endeavoring to seek enjoyment amid the transitory allurements of this fleeting world, and caused my feet to be turned into the way of his commandments, and my heart to seek pleasure in that source from which alone true happiness can be found. Since that time I have been a close and anxious observer of the precious, (though oft suffering) cause of present truth; and as my heart has often been cheered and encouraged by reading in the columns of the Review the sweet and sympathizing epistles from those of like precious faith, I have felt impressed that it was my duty to add my feeble testimony on the side of truth. My heart has sadly been grieved while hearing of the grievous adversities through which those dear brethren have been passing; who have long labored in the front of the ranks, and patiently borne the heat and burden of the day; for I verily believe, of the many perils and afflictions endured by the beloved Apostle to the Gentiles, those occasioned by "false brethren" were not among the least; and my earnest prayer to God has been, that you might be graciously sustained, and ever be found "steadfast, unmovable, abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord." It has also been a source of trial and sadness to me to see the crooked and inconsistent course of some of whom we had hoped better things. But we see, dear brethren, when seriously considering the subject, that our trials are none other than what befell the ancient Church in her primitive purity. Then brethren, let us be patient; for we need not be troubled, neither soon shaken in mind, while we behold by the glorious flood of divine light that shines upon our pathway from God's sacred word, that "we have not followed cunningly devised fables," when embracing the welcome doctrines of the speedy "coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." But we have for a foundation whereon to rest our hope, "the prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." May God in mercy help us as a people to feel the importance of now making diligent use of the day and means of grace, that we may by yielding with submission to the purifying process of the truth, be sanctified through it. Truly, brethren, we have great reason for humility and thanksgiving, that our kind heavenly Father has caused the truth to shine into our hearts, amid the perils and delusions of these last days. Then let us not sleep as do others, but awake to newness of life, and strive in all things to honor and glorify him who has done so much for us. I have been much encouraged of late by hearing of the prosperity of the cause, and my heart's desire and earnest prayer to God is, that it may still arise; that the time may speedily come when all God's scattered and torn children will be gathered into the unity of the faith, and be found in accordance with divine requirement, all speaking the same things, and that the spirit of meekness and wisdom may rest upon those who have the oversight of the paper, that it may as ever go forth bearing precious seed, and affording meat to the household of faith in due season. Yours in hope, Bruce Graham. Kensington, Ct.