A Call to Repentance and Missionary Effort
By J. Hart
To the Brethren in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS, in Wis., Ills., and Iowa: I feel it duty to speak to you a few words through the Review. We have most of us the past Winter expressed our faith either publicly or privately that we were the people represented in Rev. iii, 14-22, whom God is calling to repent. And on conditions that we remain in a lukewarm state, Jesus says that he will spue us out his mouth. Now this being the true testimony to us, and that we acknowledge it so, our responsibilities are increased. This brings us to take the last position that is to be occupied by the true church, (as to perfection,) previous to translation. And we should be very careful not to rest on the feeble effort we have already put forth, but to show by our works that our repentance is true and genuine. And as we love the truth, let us remember that there are those that will love it as well as we, if they can only have opportunity to receive it. Then the question comes up, How can they receive it? How can they hear without a preacher? And how can he preach without he is sent? And again, how can he go without the necessary means to go with? Now if these things are necessary, there must be two prominent features to set out our faith. One to pray the Lord of harvest (and surely this must be in the time of harvest,) to send forth laborers into the field. Have we prayed this prayer as we ought? Have we laid hold of the arm of the Lord on this point as we ought? Have we stood in that place where we could put faith and works together? or have we lacked in faith and works also? I fear there has been a lack of both, or Jesus would never have said that there must be a change or he would spue us out of his mouth. There seems to be a lack of true, genuine faith and corresponding works. Dear brethren and sisters, may the Lord help us to come up to the standard that is set before us, and let faith and corresponding works shine forth in these States, to show that our faith is true. And if this be the case, the image of Jesus will be manifested in our lives to those around us. We have now before us a large field of labor, and in this field there are but few laborers. Our labor should be laid out to the best advantage. We have therefore thought best to go forth into the field before us with a Tent. We wish therefore to go in that way that will prove the most beneficial to convince those before whom we may come that this is a Message that God accompanies by his Spirit. We must have the prayers of the church. There must be a union between the church and those who go forth to proclaim the truth. This sympathy will be seen, if it exists, in works. Shall we see it, brethren, this season? Shall we take that position in the commencement that we may have the Lord to go to battle with us? So far as I have seen the brethren, there seems to be a willingness to take hold of this work. We have now between two and three hundred dollars pledged in the churches in Whiteside and Jo Daviess Counties. We wish therefore to say, Let those who wish to share in the blessing that may follow in getting this glorious truth before the people, lend a helping hand by giving some of their means to aid in this work. We wish to raise a fund to be laid out in books, suitable to be handed out at the tent-meetings without charge, in that way that they may go into all the families that shall be at the meetings, who wish. Thus far, since it was proposed, it meets the minds of the church. We would say to the brethren and sisters, Send in your pledges what you will do. If you are situated in churches, send them in as a church; if individually, send them in so, and we will report through the Review that it may be known that it is received. Put the amount that you wish to give for Tent and the expenses following it, and also what you wish to give to be handed out in books as set forth in the above. May the Lord prosper this enterprise, is the prayer of your unworthy servant.
J. HART.
P. S. Direct to Round Grove, Whiteside Co., Ills., to J. Hart or Elon Everts, that either may take it from the Office.