Letter from Bro. Holt by George Washington Holt

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 6, 1856

Letter from Bro. Holt.

By George Washington Holt

Bro. Smith: Permit me to add my testimony with those who believe the precious and sublime truths of holy Writ, which are peculiar to this generation. I hail with joy the weekly visits of the Review, which bears a bold testimony for those portions of truth. It is cheering to read the spirited epistles, and the humble confessions of some who have erred from the right path.

Dear brethren, I sympathize with those who are searching for the whole truth, and not only to know the argument, but the power and sanctifying influence upon the heart. The latter I think is much wanting at present. We may have a knowledge of the present truth, and outwardly keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, and think we are "rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;" when, in fact, we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."

Without the Spirit of truth burning in our heart, and shut up like fire in our bones, and burdened to be delivered, and holding the last Message of mercy in an indifferent manner, are we not lukewarm? I think I hear a response from many of my brethren, Yes, I have felt a lack in our preaching meetings, in our social and prayer meetings, in the family circle, and in our private conversation. O, there is not that fervent love for the brethren that once was, and my mind is occupied in the things of this world more than it was a few years ago. I would that the whole church were sensible of this fact. Shall we continue to go the way that all reformers have gone before us? Shall we let the love of the world, and the lust of the eye deceive us, and we lose the kingdom at last? God forbid, beloved brethren.

Let us heed the counsel of the true Witness. Buy gold tried in the fire, white raiment that we may be clothed, and anoint our eyes that we may see. You talk as though we were Laodiceans, and this counsel of the true Witness was addressed to us! Yes, I do believe that we who are in the Third Message with the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, are the church this language is addressed to; and we cannot be too soon in applying for tried gold and white raiment, and eye-salve that we may see.

Let me entreat you as a brother to arise and come away from thy lukewarmness, and have faith that has been tried in the furnace, and quenched the violence of fire. God hath chosen you, poor, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom. White raiment, the righteousness of the saints, Eye-salve, a baptism of the Holy Spirit which will help us to see clearly the past, present and future. Let us go to the Lord in good earnest for these things; for he standeth at the door and knocks, and if we open to him immediately he will come in to us, and sup with us, and we with him.

The signs in the natural, moral and political world, all, tell us the day of trouble is near. The Third Message evinces to us that probationary time will soon end, and the chariot wheels of Him whose right it is to rule will soon appear.

"O let us be ready to hail the glad day." G. W. HOLT. Milan, O., Oct. 26th, 1856.