JONATHAN CHASE by Jonathan Chase

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 2, 1857

JONATHAN CHASE

By Jonathan Chase

From Bro. Chase.

BRO. SMITH: I take this opportunity to write, to inform you that I am trying to hold on the promises of God by faith in his blessed word. I can truly say that I think the Review comes to me laden with truth, and I believe it is meat in due season. I believe that the state or condition of the Laodicean church, as brought to view in Rev. iii, 14-18, is applicable to those who profess to be looking for the near coming of Christ, and do not manifest their faith by their works. I feel that I am one of those that are counseled to buy gold tried in the fire, white raiment, &c. This counsel has shown to me my whereabouts. I have felt so little strength, so little faith in God at times previous, that I have been led to cry out within myself, Lord, where am I? What shall I do? I wanted to do right, but did not know what the matter was. But when the subject of the last two churches was brought to view, as written out in the Review, and the last of them was applied to the remnant in the last days, to those who profess to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, I could then see the fitness of its application. I could then see in some degree what the trouble was. I was too lukewarm. I must be zealous and repent in order to obtain the gold, white raiment, &c. I said by the grace of God that I will try to live faithful and do my duty.

I am as it were alone, having none of like precious faith to meet with, talk and pray with, on the Sabbath, as many brethren have; but it fills my soul to read the epistles from my brethren and sisters, and long for the time to come to meet them in the kingdom.

I hope the time is not far distant when I shall have the privilege of hearing from some of our lecturing brethren from some quarter, in this part of the great harvest-field.

I felt some encouraged last Spring when there were three in this vicinity that came out to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and another brother was here from Massachusetts. We had an opportunity of meeting together for worship on the holy Sabbath; but now I have no such privilege at all. My brother has returned home. The others that met with us for a few months on the Sabbath have given it up and gone back to worship an institution of the beast; and I think that we can have but little hope of any one who only comes out and keeps the seventh day, while they reject its kindred doctrines, and hold to their traditions that they have received, and false doctrines of their teachers, instead of the doctrines of the Bible.

JONATHAN CHASE

Columbus, Wis., Jan. 11th, 1857.