DEAR BROTHER: The question has been asked "Why dont they write"? To this I can only answer for myself; that is, "while I am coming another step-peth down before me." Still I can offer no excuse for not speaking to the scattered ones and telling them of my prospects, hopes and fears, and also offer a word of encouragement to them.
Many of the scattered flock are like us, having no teacher but the Review; and being alone, the communications from the dear brethren and sisters are a stimulus to encourage us to press on through trials and persecutions, until we are called away. Yes, the warm hearted letters published in the Review are to us like pools of water to the parched earth. And since we prize them so highly, we wonder why more of them do not write. I feel that I have neglected the brethren in not writing oftener; but much of my time has been spent in trying to present the truth at the fireside of families who are yet in darkness.
I believe the time has come that we must be zealous and repent, and heed the counsel of the True Witness, for if we "buy gold tried in the fire, white raiment that we may be clothed, and eye-salve to anoint our eyes" we may yet see the truth in a clearer and more forcible light. The time has come that we must go out and raise the cry "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen." God works by means; and if we heed the counsel to the Laodiceans we shall receive the gifts of the Spirit, and become a peculiar people—a holy people—a people through whom God will work; for the Saviour has promised that they that believe on him shall do the works that he did. And whatsoever we shall ask in his name that he will do.
Brethren, let us have the strongest faith in God, and we shall through his power cast out devils and heal all manner of diseases. But we must cut loose from the world and be not conformed to its fashions, neither love the things that are in it, if we expect the smiles and approbation of our heavenly Father.
As for me I can say that I am trying to arise from the lukewarm state into which we have fallen; and I feel that what we have to do, we must do quickly; for soon the decree will go forth, "He that is holy let him be holy still, And he that is righteous, let him be righteous still, and he that is filthy let him be filthy still."
I would like to hear from all, whether they are determined to arise in the strength of Israel's God or be spued out as a loathsome thing.
Yours, striving to overcome.
E. O. MEACHAM
Savanna Ills.