Extracts from Letters by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 13, 1856

Extracts from Letters.

By Editor

Sister B. A. Phillips writes from Schroopple, N. Y.:—"I should be very lonely without my paper. I feel thankful for the light I have received from reading it. I believe it is truth. I love to read the communications from the dear brethren and sisters scattered abroad. My heart is in union with them and with the Third Angel's Message. I believe it is the last message of mercy ever to be given to a perishing world. O that the careless and unconcerned would take warning. I will try to keep all the Commandments of God and Faith of Jesus that I may be a final overcomer and have right to the tree of life.

It is no small thing to be a Christian. We must not lay down our armor, but we must watch unto prayer. The Saviour says, Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation. O that I might take heed to the admonition. I hardly know how to express my gratitude to God for his kind care for me. He has called me to serve the living God by keeping his Commandments and believing the only begotten Son of God by having the Faith of Jesus. He has called me from darkness to light. My Bible is a new book in many passages."

Sister J. Demarest writes from Parma, N. Y.:—"How much grace we need in these last days to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, and live as heirs of the kingdom, joint-heirs with Jesus Christ to that glorious inheritance. I feel sometimes as though the way was exceeding narrow, and almost despair of ever entering in at the straight gate. The more I look at the example of our Leader and Commander, the more I feel to exclaim, Who of us shall be able to stand when he appeareth! It is a great thing to be a Christian; yet there is something in the word of the Lord that is encouraging to the lone pilgrim; that Jesus has died for sinners, and that he is ever willing to accept of us when we come in faith believing; and that he is a present help in every time of need.

"How important to have on the whole armor of the gospel that we may withstand all the fiery darts of Satan; for he is at work, deceiving his millions. My cry is daily, Lord, save thy children from his power, and preserve them unto the coming of the Lord. I never felt the need as at present of union in the church and co-operation among the brethren and sisters.

"We are still trying to hold on to the sure word, that where but two or three gather together in the name of the Lord, there he is in the midst; and we often find his word verified to us. We would be cheered to have some of the brethren come and lecture, since it will soon be a year since we had the last sermon preached in this place. We are cheered by the Review, and as it comes to us laden with the good news of the kingdom and its kindred doctrines, we can bid it God speed. I believe the time is not far distant when the righteous and the wicked will be separated and there will be no more mercy for sinners. Oh solemn thought! May all take the warning and be ready for that great event."

Bro. B. M. Adams writes from Philadelphia, Nov. 4th, 1856:—"Perhaps it may be not amiss, to add the passing thought, that to-day, while the citizens of these United States are voting for their President, the pleasing reflection occurred to me that those who 'keep the Commandments of God and have the Faith of Jesus Christ,' will not one of them be found with the name of the beast or his image in their hands, by recording their votes for any other Deliverer than the King whom they voted for in October 22, 1844. It gave my drooping spirit a reviving thrill of 'joy unspeakable,' to think that he, whom I then (in 1844) voted for was the one only and True Emancipator of the down-trodden sons of Africa; for however much our natural sympathy is exercised in their behalf, we have been taught that Ethiopia cannot yet stretch out her hands to God for any sure deliverance until we shall see 'the goings of my God, my King, in the Sanctuary.' Then shall Israel and Ethiopia join with the kingdoms of the earth [see Ps. lxviii, 24, 31, 32] to sing unto our God when he shall give strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God! With this reflection my soul felt to renew its covenant with the Holy One of Israel, to whose commonwealth I desire to continue a citizen."

Bro. John Davis writes from Curryaville, Sullivan Co., Ind.:—"Brother Smith, Please tell the traveling preachers as they are traveling from east to west to try to come to Sullivan County, Indiana, either to the town of Sullivan, or to Curryaville; for there are those who are trying to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, living near both places, and we think that there might be many in this country who would see the great necessity of keeping the Commandments of God."

Bro. Thomas Chase writes from Paris Me.:—"While we see the wickedness carried on about us, we feel that time is short. God's words are being fulfilled. We feel like going through to the end, where we still hope to receive the crown that is laid up for the faithful. Every thing speaks to us that time is short. We feel lonely here. Our band is very small, but strong in the Lord. The Lord meets with us. We miss the brethren and sisters that have left us; but the friend that sticketh closer than a brother is still with us. We hope to meet them on the earth made new."

Sister E. Scoville writes from Manlius, N. Y.:—"Our hearts are also cheered when we read in the Review the good news of what the Lord is doing in the West, in bringing out so many to see the truth, and to obey it. My prayer is that the Lord would speed on the work until all the jewels are gathered into one fold."

Sister Rhoda Ashald writes from Stamford, Vt.:—"I have been prevented from paying any thing to the Review by sickness the past Summer; and sister Augusta Bowers has fallen asleep in Christ, aged 21 years. A husband and one child are left to mourn her loss with me. Her loss to me was so great that it seemed too much for me to write. I am 68 years of age, and soon expect to follow her. I am left alone now, in sentiment, and have heard but one sermon by an Advent teacher. The Review is a very welcome messenger to me; and I thank you that you have not been weary in well-doing, and I hope you will continue to send it whilst I live."

NOTE.—We can with confidence point our aged sister to the "blessed hope," in her sad bereavement, the only true source of consolation, for us mortals, in this world of sorrow. We can assure her of the cheering fact, that we are rapidly nearing that glorious time when the bodies of Christ's servants, though they may have grown frail through age, will be quickened with immortal vigor, and when those who have fallen beneath the power of death, will be brought again from the land of the enemy. Though nearly threescore and ten years have passed over her head, it is not inconsistent with the hope we cherish, that she should remain, and be ushered into a glorious immortality without tasting death.—ED.