Extracts from Letters

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 20, 1856

Extracts from Letters.

Sr. M. B. B. Obrist writes from Ausable Forks, N. Y.: "I believe in your position as far as I can understand it, especially the Sabbath. I see I have much to learn and much to unlearn to get in the way of truth and holiness. I see many dark hours and discouragements, on the account of my own frailness and besetting sins. When I look at myself and see the little progress I have made of the little light the Lord has seen fit to show me, that text of scripture occurs to my mind which says, There are many called, but few chosen. I am afraid sometimes that I shall be found with those not chosen. By the grace of my heavenly Father, I mean to still try to watch unto prayer, and walk in the light and newness of life. I will investigate and embrace the truth as fast as I can understand it. When I read of others that are scattered abroad and standing alone like myself in this world's delusory darkness and sins, enabled by the blessing of the Lord to see the light and understand the truths of the Bible in this age of the world, and striving to live out the truth, I feel that my heart is with them and with the cause, for I am persuaded it is from the Lord. I believe the Holy Spirit is with it, and our Lord and Saviour is with it, and although I am lacking the graces of a Christian, I mean to try to be with it, and work out my salvation, although it may be by fear and trembling."

J. J. Stewart writes from Weaverville, Mich.: "I would write a few words for the encouragement of those who are endeavoring to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. As we are a peculiar people, or should be at least, let us lay up our treasure where moth and rust doth not corrupt, let us be striving for the faith that was once delivered to the saints. Though we are scattered, if God is for us who can be against us. O let us strive to do God's will, that we may have right to the tree of life and may enter into the City. I have not taken the

Review till last Summer, and it is a welcome messenger to me. I love to hear from those that are looking for the Lord."

Bro. G. W. Newman writes from Windsor, Mich.: "I feel that the Review in the hands of God has been a great blessing to me. My prayer is, that its conductors may be guided by heavenly wisdom, that they may be saved from a proud, self-relying spirit, and be led wholly by the will of the Lord; that God would take it into his own hands, and cause it to be an instrument in preparing many to stand in the great day."

"I wish that some of the Lord's messengers would come this way and help us. There is a tract of country about Eaton Rapids and Lansing where the people have not heard much about the Lord's coming; that I know of. I believe that good might be done if some faithful one would come and spread the light."

Bro. I. C. Snow writes from Martville, N. Y.: "I think the article in No. 24, Vol. VIII, in regard to the state of the church is just what we need. My prayer is that God will enable us to heed the warning voice and seek that preparation that we shall need that we may stand with the Lamb on mount Zion with the hundred and forty-four thousand, that are to be redeemed from the earth."

Bro. E. O. Meacham writes from Savanna, Ills.:— "I can say with the poet, 'No foot of land do I possess, No cottage in this wilderness.' Still I struggle on amid the persecutions and scoffs of a wicked world."

"Myself and companion are the only ones who keep the Sabbath of the Lord in this place, and such is the persecution against us that we have often thought of the words of the Saviour, 'When they persecute you in one city flee ye into another.' But the Lord is strong to deliver, and good to redeem the weakest believer that hangs upon his word."

"This place is like the cities of the plains, full of wickedness, vessels of wrath fitted for destruction. Some arouse enough from their lethargy to see that 'Babylon is fallen;' but they cannot summon resolution enough to come out of her."

Sister V. Palfray writes from Grantham, N. H.:— "We prize the paper too highly to neglect to comply with its terms. I tremble sometimes at the thought of being judged by the heart-searching truths set forth therein; yet I love them and would not do without the paper for any price that I could pay."

Sister Carbey writes from Lunenburg, Vt.:— "We must be willing to give up all and separate ourselves from the world. Dear brethren and sisters, let us not be found like Ananias and Sapphira, keeping back a part of the price. Let us be willing to lay all on the altar, and be just what God would have us to be. Brn. Sperry and Buck held a tent-meeting in our place this season; and I would say for their encouragement that some good in the name of Jesus will I think be done here. My father came out on First-day to hear. He has been a very firm Baptist for forty years. He admits that we have the truth on the Sabbath question, and finally acknowledged that all they said was truth. I think he and my mother also will keep the Sabbath soon."

Sister P. Harp writes from Troy, N. Y.:— "Bro. Smith, I thought the church would like to know how we are getting along here. We are firm in the present truth. Our hearts are as the heart of one. We have had much opposition; but the Lord has been our strength in trial."

Lydia Bolton writes from Portland, Me.:— "The pure and solemn teachings of the paper admonish us of the solemn time in which we live, and the importance of having our hearts right with God, that we may be enabled to withstand the trials and temptations of these last days. My heart is with that humble people who love God's holy word, and live in obedience to his holy law; for I do believe they are the honored of God; they are the only ones who can feel safe amid the commotion and perilous times in which we live."