Note from Bro. Andrews.
By John Nevins Andrews
BRO. SMITH:—I would acknowledge with gratitude to God the recent visit of brother and sister White, and brethren Hart and Everts. They came to us richly laden with the blessing of heaven, and their visit has proved to this church a source of much blessing. The message to the Laodiceans has been powerfully set home upon the hearts of all by the Spirit of God. I trust that all have been profited to some extent, and that the larger part have been blest with the signal outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It has been a season of deep humiliation and of heartfelt confession before God. For this I praise God with all my heart. It is sad to think that we have been so long in a state of wretchedness, poverty and blindness; but it is cheering to think that the church of Christ is now zealously repenting. O what will not the Lord do for us, if we will be in earnest in returning to him! My own state the past season has been one of deep discouragement, and I might almost add, of despair. Despondency and unbelief have had my spirit in almost complete subjection. I write this with sorrow of heart, for such should not have been the case. But the thought that God is again visiting his people, gives to my poor heart a spring of joy. May his gracious work go steadily forward until the perfect day. Waukon, Iowa, Jan. 5th, 1857. P. S. Allow me to say to many friends who have written to me, that the condition of my head has rendered it impossible for me to write in reply. I hope that it will not always be thus. J. N. A.