COMMUNICATIONS by G. W. Holt

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 5, 1857

COMMUNICATIONS.

By G. W. Holt

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."

From Bro. Holt.

BRO. SMITH: For the encouragement of the scattered flock I will give a brief account of the recent work of the Lord among us in this part of the field. When the message to the Laodiceans came to our ears, it found us in the very condition described by the faithful and true Witness. Wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

For myself, I resolved to heed the counsel, be zealous and repent. By so doing I gained a little strength and became interested for my family, and the churches in this vicinity. Nearly all received the message theoretically. But this did not relieve me of my burden. I felt that there must be a breaking down before the Lord and a rending of heart with a great reform, before the Lord could come in and sup with us and we with him. We felt our weakness and need of help at this time.

The Lord was mindful of us, and sent Bro. Cornell. We met him at Fremont, and took him to Green Creek, where the church in that place were assembled together. We met with them twice, and had evidence that the Lord had commenced a good work among them. It was evident that our labor at present was for the church in Milan. We commenced meetings in this place on Monday, the 19th ult., and continued day and night for three days. The power of God was manifest in our first meeting. The preaching of Bro. Cornell was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

The spirit of confession was cherished in our meetings. And as heart-felt and deep confessions were made, the cry for mercy from a broken heart, was breathed forth with earnestness and fervency that we scarce ever witnessed before. The Lord heard, and souls were set at liberty. Shouts of "glory" from full hearts might have been heard afar off. Parents confessed to children, and children to parents. Some have been converted, and are going to mount Zion with their parents. The interest increased, and the meeting continued to rise until its close. We went from here to Clarksfield, where the Lord wrought for us in power, and far beyond our expectations. Glory be to God, the work is still progressing. We can say as did Bro. A. S. Hutchins in regard to Vt., a happy change is taking place here among us. The solemn message to the Laodiceans is arousing the church to action now. The conversation we hear now, is about "gold, white raiment and eye-salve, and less about farms, houses, horses and other things of this world." We have confidence that this work will be lasting. O, how solemn is this time. Those who are not moved out by this message now, we have reason to fear never will be aroused until it be forever too late.

G. W. HOLT.

Milan, O., Jan. 26th, 1857.