Letter from Bro. Ingraham.
By William S. Ingraham
BRO. SMITH: I am glad to know that the remnant are zealous to repent of their lukewarm state, and make strong efforts to gain eternal life. Our condition as a church for a year or two past has been deplorable indeed. Never has there been a people since the apostolic age favored with greater light than those who profess to be keeping the Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. But notwithstanding the light given, and the power manifested among us, the church have been too dilatory in the cause we profess to love, and have suffered the spirit of the world to overcome them to a great degree. Many find themselves so completely absorbed in the cares of the world that they hardly know how to extricate themselves from this snare. Others have fallen in love with the world, and it has already become their god; and instead of a disposition to help the cause of truth onward with their means, their money is banked and heaped up for service against a "wet day;" yet a wet day is coming, but not such an one as many expect; but a day of vengeance and darkness; and neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them; but it will eat their flesh as it were fire. Some must loose their strong hold on the world or give up their hope of eternal life in the kingdom of God. I am glad that the Lord in mercy is giving us a message calculated to awaken the careless and indifferent. And it is my prayer that the gifts and graces of the Spirit may return to the church. And in praying for a revival of the gifts and a baptism of the Spirit, I hope there will not be a lack of eye-salve and discernment so that we may rightly appreciate the power of God and not be found fighting against the truth. Some are praying for the gifts of the church and are rejecting the gifts already among us. The Lord help us to be consistent with our prayers. We must be a holy people, zealous of good works. God says, "Be ye holy; for I am holy." Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. The way to life is narrow, and the gate is strait. Those that have pure hearts and clean hands will ascend to the hill of the Lord. If we stand on mount Zion we must overcome. If we would enter into the city we must keep the Commandments. It is not enough for us to merely assent to the truth: it must take hold of our feelings and life. O let us as a church awake and put on strength. The Lord has promised to come in to us and sup with us and we with him. This embraces no ordinary blessing. Does it not embrace the gifts of the Spirit and latter rain? I believe the Lord is about to do a great work for us; and how important it is to dedicate all to God. The last conflict is coming. We call for valiant-hearted ones who are not afraid to die—those that will not turn traitors in the hour of trial and temptation! How much the cause has suffered from half-hearted believers, those who are driven by winds and storms, and are never found anchored. It is time for us to be in our watch-tower, and Galilean like gaze into heaven for the return of our Messiah. Yours waiting for the consolation of Israel.
WM. S. INGRAHAM.