Returning to the Ranks.
By Editor
Bro. Stephen Smith writes from Unity, N. H., Jan. 31st, 1857: “Bro. Smith, I feel zealous to repent of all my wrongs; therefore permit me to speak through the Review to the brethren. I am well aware my course the past two years has been a great grief to you. I left the work connected with the Third Angel's Message, and embraced the '54 time theory. The brethren connected with the Third Message faithfully admonished me; but I heeded not their counsel, but chose to take my own way, and the effect has been that I met with a sad disappointment. I lost fellowship with all the different parties of Advent people, except the Messenger. I have disbelieved that we were in the time of the Third Angel's Message, and I have had doubts of our having had the First and Second Angels' Messages. I have had enmity in my heart against the Review, and its former conductors. I have had particular hatred towards Bro. and Sr. White, and should have been glad to have had the Review and all connected with it come down. Hence I lent my influence to the Messenger, went to looking for the motes in my brother's eye, and continued to pursue this course till within a few weeks past. “When I heard the counsel to the Laodiceans, it arrested my attention, and I began to turn my thoughts within. O how blind I have been. I am wretched, and miserable, and poor, and naked, sure enough; and knew it not till this message found me. “Now, dear brethren and sisters, I humbly confess that I have been actuated by a revengeful and retaliating spirit in this my past course towards you. I ask your forgiveness for the grief that I have caused you. And I ask your counsel and prayers that God will forgive me, and that he will let me have a part with you in this last message of mercy to the world.”