Holding Fast Among the Scattered
By A. Taber
BRO. SMITH: We are watching, hoping and striving for the kingdom, but we feel like sheep strayed from the flock. We are alone, only two families of us any where near who believe the three angels' messages, and sometimes feel as though our Shepherd had gone out of hearing. We are determined to hold on to the faith, although we sometimes feel cold and almost disheartened. We rejoice to learn through the Review that others no better situated than we are, manifest a fixed determination to overcome every besetment and hold out to the end. When we consider the condition of the human family, the evident waxing worse of the wicked, the corrupt state of society, ministers preaching that Christ will come but not in our day, the world must be converted first, the gospel must triumph throughout the land first, the Jews must return to Palestine first, and this cannot be done in our day, we feel as though the cry of peace and safety is surely sounding in our ears, and we are led to cry out, What can be done? We have had some lecturing here by Bro. Stewart, but the people will not go out to hear. They refuse their meeting-house for Advent lectures, on the ground that the doctrine is too corrupt to be preached, while the house is open for everything else, political lectures on the Sabbath not excepted. It does seem to us that the cup of iniquity is full to the brim, and that God's vengeance must burst forth soon. We would be glad if some brother filled with zeal from heaven, could spend some time in this vicinity. We think that it might be the means of enlightening the minds of some before their fate is sealed for destruction. It is a great consolation to know that God is true and punctual, and that what he has promised he will perform; and we rejoice in believing that the time is close at hand when the last promise made to the human family is to be fulfilled. Go on, brethren, go on, sisters, and by the help of God we will be with you soon. In our lonely situation we need, and have a right to expect, the prayers of God's people, that we may be prepared with our lamps trimmed and burning when the Bridegroom comes. Yours in hope of a blessed inheritance among the saints. A. Taber. Berlin, Wis., May 17th, 1857.