A Growing Band of Sabbath Keepers
By E. W. Phelps
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I would say that we are still trying to keep all of God's Commandments, and to have the Faith of Jesus. But we have to confess our lukewarmness, and great need of the tried gold, white raiment and eye-salve. Since we have embraced the Advent doctrine it has been our lot to live far from those of like precious faith. Sometimes we could meet with three or four for worship, and sometimes we did not have that privilege. When we came to this place I thought, surely we shall never meet with a band of Sabbath-keepers again; but the Lord thought otherwise. Truly "his ways are not our ways, nor his thoughts our thoughts." Last Winter Bro. Steward came this way in search of the lost sheep, and found, by inquiry, three families of Sabbath-keepers within about three miles of us. He went there and commenced a course of lectures. The weather was very unfavorable, the snow deep, and it stormed the most of the time; yet thank the Lord, there were many there that had ears to hear. The result is that there is now a band of between thirty and forty that meet on the seventh day to worship the God that made the heavens and the earth. To him be all the glory. Bro. Hart has also been with us, and preached several times to the edification of the people. May the Lord sustain and reward him for his labors of love. We have meetings every Sabbath and Fourth-day. The Lord is pleased to meet with us, and blesses us. I for one feel much encouraged. I believe the Third Angel's Message is on the rise, and will soon go with a loud cry. The saints will all be sealed, and then the vials of God's wrath will be poured out upon the heads of the wicked. Where shall we be found in that day? Shall we be found among that happy company that shall come up out of great tribulation, having their robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb, and be permitted to follow him whithersoever he goeth? or shall we be with those that shall call for rocks and mountains to fall on them? Lord grant that we may be among the former. When I look within I find an evil heart to contend with. Truly, — "of all the foes we meet,
None so apt to turn our feet,
None betray us into sin,
Like the foes we have within." I find in myself no good thing. When I would do good, evil is present with me; but I can look to Jesus, he is able, he is willing, and he has said, My grace is sufficient. Bless the Lord, O my soul, that he permits such unworthy creatures to hope. By the grace of God I mean to be zealous and repent,90try to overcome that I may meet all the dear saints where parting shall be no more. To you who do not have the privilege of meeting those of like faith I would say, I can sympathize with you. Remember that where little is given, but little is required; be faithful in the little, improve the one talent, and soon if faithful you will hear the welcome applaudit, "Well done, faithful servant, thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." And I can also rejoice with those that have the opportunity of meeting with the children of God from week to week. Let us remember that we have got to give an account how we improve these privileges, and may we spend them in such a manner that at last we can render up an account with joy and not with grief, and be permitted to sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God. Yours striving to overcome.
E. W. PHELPS.
Lisbon, Wis., June 18th, 1857.