The Church Called to Arise
By L. R. Chapel
BRO. SMITH: I sit down this evening to let you know how we are getting along in this place. We have felt for some time that we were in a cold, backslidden state, almost destitute of the Spirit of the Lord; but did not realize that we were in the Laodicean state of the church. But finding ourselves in that state we have been trying to follow the counsel of the true Witness, to be zealous and repent, and buy that gold that is tried, that gold that will stand in the trying time, the time that will try all souls. I have felt for some time that the church had, as a body, almost lost sight of the faith, that faith that was once delivered to the saints. We feel that the time has fully come for the church to arouse. And all who do not obey the teachings of the true Witness, will be left to their own ways, to be filled with their own doings. O that the Lord would give his people to see the position they occupy, and feel the importance of the time in which they live. Did we realize the great work there is to be done for the church of God before it will answer the description given by Paul, [Eph. v, 27,] and the short time there is for that work, I think we should set about it in good earnest. We should be striving to overcome all our besetments, and humble ourselves, getting down at the feet of Jesus, having all upon the altar, all that we have and are, striving to know what duty is, and striving to have willing hearts to obey God. Worldly-mindedness has almost imperceptibly got into our hearts, and as time has continued so long, we have in a great degree lost sight of the present truth, the near coming of the Son of man, and the time of119trouble such as never was. I greatly fear that unless there is a mighty effort on the part of the church to arise, that they, or many of them, will come up to that time unprepared. But the Lord is at work for his people, and all that step in when the waters are troubled, may be healed of their backslidings, and find a shelter in the day of the Lord's fierce anger. The Lord has of late been working for the church in this place, separating the vile from the precious, and uniting the hearts of his children. I think a stronger union prevails than has for months, and I might say for years. Our meeting to-day was one of the best we have attended in some time. The Lord manifested his willingness to answer prayer by letting down his Holy Spirit upon us. We felt to praise the Lord for his goodness to us, his unworthy children. I feel to say with the prophet David, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be cast in the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar, and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof." Ps. xlvi, 1-3. From your unworthy brother, waiting for the revelation of Jesus Christ.
L. R. CHAPEL.
Palermo, Jan. 17th, 1857.