LETTERS by P. R. Chamberlain

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 15, 1857

LETTERS

By P. R. Chamberlain

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."

From Sister Chamberlain.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel it my duty to speak to you of the great goodness of God towards one so unworthy as myself. When I first heard the solemn message to the Laodicean church, I felt that it was truth, and for a time it stirred my inmost soul; but how to get the gold, the white raiment, and the eye-salve, was more than I knew. At times I tried to zealously repent, and afflict my soul, by calling to mind my past sins. I would also look around to see if I had any confessions to make, and greatly feared lest I should be left in a lukewarm state; but I had begun to sink back into cold stupidity, when it was my privilege to attend a conference held at Bro. Belden's, in Kensington, Ct., and thanks be to God I there learned what is meant by being zealous and repenting, and how I might obtain the gold, and white raiment, so much needed. It was simply to act, to go to work, to bring forth fruits meet for repentance, to return to my first love; and blessed be the name of the Lord, even before I had time to act, the eye-salve was applied to my eyes and I began to see.

Oh, how plainly do I see the great, the awfully solemn work that is before us. It seems like being placed right back in 1844, when the sound, The Lord is coming! stirred our inmost souls and brought every power into action. How I pity the poor soul who stands now with one hand uplifted crying, Lord, Lord, and with the other grasps his worldly goods. Let such read the words of Jesus to the rich young man. I also pity the cold professor who, surrounded with all the comforts of life, leaves the lone widow with her fatherless children to suffer. Let such remember the words of Jesus found in Matt. xxv, commencing at the 31st verse. The hypocrite will soon no longer have a place among God's dear saints. This part of the Third Angel's Message will try every man's work, whether it be of God.

To unfaithful parents I wish to say, My brother, my sister, how can you slumber on, when if you would only open your eyes you might behold the sword of the destroying angel hanging over the heads of your children. If there were some fearful epidemic raging, how quickly would you seek a place of safety for those dear ones. How much rather should you seek to hide them from the fearful storm that is fast approaching, by removing every stumbling-block out of their way, and by beginning even now to do just as you wish you had done in the past, and would try to do if you might be permitted to do your work over again. Do not expect yourselves to enter the kingdom while your poor children are left to perish through your neglect. It may be well to reflect upon the history of Eli and his family.

To my dear sisters in Christ, who, like myself, are in affliction, I would say, Fear not, trust in God. Remember how many precious promises his word contains for the widow; and if at any time we are tempted to murmur or complain, we will call to mind the words of Jesus found in Matt. vi, beginning at the 24th verse. Let us be very careful lest we grieve away the spirit whereby we are sealed unto the day of redemption. A little while, a few more days of suffering and trial, and we shall be safe at home with Jesus, whose very name fills our souls with joy and makes us long for the day when he will appear, and receive us unto himself. Let us be faithful, dear sisters.

We shall soon hear the voice of God saying, as unto Moses of old, "Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward!" and when the whole church moves we shall see mighty works done in the name of the Lord. To bring this great move about, each one has something to do. We must set our own house in order; and let us be careful that we each for ourselves understand the will of God, and move carefully in his fear, and in unity with the church. Let us be sure that we are in the very place that the Lord would have us in, and we have nothing to fear. O no, for the Lord himself will be our God, our guide, our all, in all. Thanks be to his great name. That God would direct us each, and impart to us all needed grace and wisdom, is the prayer of your unworthy sister.

P. R. CHAMBERLAIN. Maspeth, N. Y., Oct. 4th, 1857.