Letter from Bro. Waggoner by Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 25, 1856

Letter from Bro. Waggoner.

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

DEAR BRO. SMITH: I see by Review that I was so careless as to omit the date of my letter by which you was led to suppose that I had been holding meetings in Addison. The business note was dated at Addison. The baptisms referred to took place at Union District. I held five meetings in Lodi township, north of Saline. Prejudice had preceded the truth, so that the number attending was not large; but the interest was good, and increased to the close. My time was limited, yet I trust good was effected, and hope that some may obey the truth, at least as far as they have acknowledged it.

On the evening of the third inst., I preached in a school-house some four or five miles north west from Moscow, where there had been no preaching on the present truth. It was very unpleasant weather, but a few came out and listened with interest.

Last Sabbath and First day I spent with the church in Hillsdale. This was a pleasant, and I trust a profitable, season. Three meetings were held at the usual place of worship, and three at the court-house. The brethren are considering the subject of building a house to meet in, which they very much need. I have no doubt it will soon be done.

It is cheering to witness the fulfillment of the Saviour's promise, that the Spirit of truth shall guide his people into the truth, and bring his words to their remembrance. When they humble themselves before him he will lead them; but if they become proud he will reject them. I found that the minds of the church were directed to the long-neglected duty inculcated in John xiii, 1-17; and when they met to break bread, and the "testimony of Jesus" was presented, almost the entire body received it. Truly I can say, as many then said, it was good to be there. I hope that the "little flock" will never try to get above their Master, but ever find the happiness of doing what they learn of him. Time is short; the end is near; the time of trouble approaches. If we would stand in the battle and be hid in the day of the Lord's anger, we must seek meekness, and lose sight of worldly considerations, and take Jesus for our only pattern, and the word for our only guide.

I am now prepared to enter new fields to raise the cry of warning to a slumbering people. Calls are coming from almost every direction. O that the church would raise one united cry to the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth more laborers into his harvest.

It is evident to my mind that the last warning to the world in the Third Angel's Message, and the last admonition to the church in the letter to the Laodiceans, are now being given. Those who do not speedily arise and move on in harmony with these truths will be left behind. The conclusion is unavoidable. We are living in a solemn, an awful time. The world is running on to speedy destruction. In order to realize this we must step aside from the thoughtless crowd, and look at these things in the light of God's word. How very necessary it is now to separate ourselves from the world, and rest entirely upon the word. Here is our armor, by which we shall be enabled to stand when the hosts of the enemy are gathering round. There is no room for doubt in the issue if we are only faithful. Through faith we may obtain the victory. Soon shall we stand on the mount Zion; soon will the joys of paradise be ours; soon will our tongues break forth and join in the song of angels round the throne.

"O glorious hour! O blest abode! I shall be near and like my God." Surely our present trials and afflictions are light and momentary compared with the eternal weight of glory. The promise is sure: "Seek and ye shall find."

In hope. J. B. W. Round Lake, Len. Co., Mich., Dec. 12th, 1856.