Extracts from Letters by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 26, 1857

Extracts from Letters.

By Editor

Bro. John Brown writes from Plattsburg, N. Y.: "For the first time I write a few lines to you to let you know that I feel grateful to you for the Review. It is a welcome messenger to us. It affords us strength in these trying hours. I believe it is what shows us that the Third Angel's Message is truly sounding, and that the end of all things is just upon us. We shall very soon pass the last land-mark, and behold the glorious City, the New Jerusalem. Shall I be there? If I can live so holy and pure as to be received when Jesus comes, it is all I desire. I know we must be like gold seven times tried in the fire. We must be without spot or wrinkle if we are received. Sometimes my heart trembles with fear, when I think of the purity that will be necessary for the people of God. But when I read those precious promises which God has given to his children, I then can take courage."

Bro. J. J. Stewart writes from Weaverville, Mich., March 11th, 1857: "I am still striving to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. I truly believe that we are in the last state of the church. I now feel more willing to heed the counsel of the faithful Witness, to buy the gold tried in the fire, and white raiment, and eye salve, that I may see. "We ask any of the members of any popular church at the present day to give a reason of their hope, and they say they believe they have the truth; but thanks be to the Lord, we who are keeping God's commands, and the faith of Jesus, can say that we know that we have the truth, and the gospel hope. I am still trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. There are only three of us here in this dark part of the world who pay any regard to the Sabbath of the Lord. We are endeavoring to let our light shine, and do all we can by showing others the way."

Sister M. M. Nelson writes from Green Lake, Wis.: "I have felt the necessity of late of coming up to higher ground, and I have been endeavoring to prepare my heart that Jesus may come in that I may sup with him and he with me. What precious promises God has given to those who are of a pure heart. He has said that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. I have much to overcome; but his grace is sufficient for us. Glory to his holy name for the gift of the Spirit! How its presence comforts and cheers us on our pilgrimage here. O let us arise and put on the beautiful garments of righteousness, that we may be found as faithful servants when our Master cometh. "I live six miles from where any meetings of our faith are held; but I feel enabled to look forward with an eye of faith to that glorious meeting in the kingdom of God, > Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet, > Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet."

Bro. Z. Marsh writes from Northfield Mountain, Mass.: "As the last sands of time are fast wasting away, and as one day after another is swiftly passing, and each is making the number less, and feeling that the awful threatening to the Laodicean church is for us commandment-keepers, I feel for one that I have been too cold in this cause, and am satisfied that I am still too cold; for when I, as an individual, am zealous, as is here required of me, I shall then be prepared to let my light shine before the world. "I remember the consecration of '44, 10th day of 7th month. I want to be there again. I likewise remember the brotherly love that then filled our souls. Brethren, let us come out from the world and be separate from it, and then we shall be able to buy the gold tried in the fire, and the white raiment and the eye-salve. Then shall we be ready to meet the Lord when he shall return from the wedding, and be prepared to walk up those golden streets, and eat of life's fair tree—being clothed with immortality and eternal life. "I stand here alone on the Third Angel's Message but I have commenced meetings in my own house, and the prejudice which at first I thought to see, has in some measure given away, so that I find in the meetings good attention and great anxiety; and one or two young men have acknowledged that we have the truth on the Sabbath question. But the meetings have been much hindered by the severity of the weather, and the snow has made it impossible for those to come who would. Will not some of the preaching brethren call and give us a lecture some Sabbath and First-day?"

Sister R. B. Wheeler writes from Worcester, Mass.: "I receive the Review regularly. I love to read it. I frequently find original instruction, epistles and selections that are quite refreshing; and I cannot allow a doubt but the paper will rise higher and higher in its spirituality as the church comes up to her privileges. I never began to enjoy such a spirit of prayer for those who write for, and read the paper, as I have the last five weeks. Bro. White says, 'Many, and a variety, of gifts make a social meeting interesting; so with a religious paper. And it should be borne in mind that the reading of the Review is all the meetings that many of our brethren have for months, and even years. How proper then to have a number of the Review pages filled with testimonies from many, which would be like a good conference-meeting.'"

Bro. M. B. Cobb writes from Cape Elizabeth, Me.: "Being a believer that the Third Angel's Message is the present truth of the times in which we live, and feeling to take heed to the call to the Laodicean church, believing it to be for the remnant whom the Lord shall call, I feel of late to arise from a lukewarm state, and to renew my covenant with the Lord in a way, with the assistance of God's grace, that I may be able to withstand the things that are coming upon the earth, and stand before the Son of man at his appearing."