p. 103 | Extracts from Letters

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 4, 1858

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. D. Richmond writes from Key Stone, Mich. Jan. 17th, 1858: "Will not one of the preaching Brn. give us a call? There are in this town fourteen Sabbath keepers; but we are in a collapsed state. I fear we are worse than 'lukewarm.' Some who embraced the truth more than a year ago have been a long time waiting for an opportunity to be baptized. The subject of 'alms giving' caused a schism among us—from the dire effects of which we still suffer. Only six of us assemble punctually every Sabbath for prayer and exhortation; but we are blessed in obeying the Word by receiving the fulfillment of the promise, 'Where two or three are gathered together' &c. We realize the importance and necessity of an entire consecration of ourselves, our time, and our means to the cause of God. Every day's occurrences convince us we have fallen on perilous times. Not only infidels but professed christians 'gape to devour' us, because we strive humbly to 'keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus.' Some of the brethren want light on the 'seven churches' and the 'Laodicean state;' in fact, we need help every way. We want 'stirring up.' I think much good might be done by a series of public meetings.

"The Review is very precious to us. The letters from the dear saints are as good almost as a conference. My prayer is that they may prove faithful—'fight the good fight'—remembering, 'the battle is not long.' Aid us by your prayers and if possible send a hand to help us."

Bro. H. W. Lawrence writes from West Bangor, N. Y., Jan. 6th, 1858: "I have spent a few weeks of late in Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, visiting the brethren, and new places not often visited. I find honest ones more willing to hear and investigate than formerly. It seems as though the Lord suffered some to feel their poverty, and see that all is not right in the sects; on purpose to prepare them to embrace the present truth. So-called revivals are increasing all around us, yet some of those who used to labor for the Lord years ago, say that the converts do not appear as they used to, &c. One preacher said that revivals of religion were assuming a new aspect at the present time, and he hailed it as evidence of the approaching millennium. Thus signs increase and few seem to realize our whereabouts."

Sister A. M. Preston writes from Fitz Henry, Ills., Jan. 15th, 1858: "I feel thankful that I am permitted to keep the Sabbath, though all alone. We have been here four years next Spring, and have not seen a Sabbath-keeper, except the one that reads my paper. O that some brother would come this way and proclaim the truth to the people here. It is a very dark place, and a great many Spiritualists here. I feel very thankful for the Review; it cheers my drooping spirits. I do mean to be more in earnest, and watch over all my besetting sins. The enemy assumes so many forms that we need to keep a very close watch. Do pray for me my brethren and sisters, that I may go through to the kingdom."

Bro. E. Lincoln writes from Green Spring, Ohio, Jan. 1858: Bro. Smith, "I have been much encouraged by reading the letters in the Review from the scattered saints, and feel like pressing my way onward, although trials and temptations beset me. I know if we put our trust in God he will give us grace sufficient for our day.

"O brethren and sisters, let us take courage, prove ourselves true soldiers of Christ, and fight manfully the battles of the Lord. Let us take heed to the faithful and true Witness. Let us keep our eyes fixed on the prize and walk in the light of present truth. We must encourage each other with our testimony, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. I feel that this is indeed a most solemn time, when the Lord is preparing a people to stand in the time of trouble. O that the Lord would give us all a realizing sense of our position. Let us strive earnestly to overcome the world, and the sins that so easily beset us. 'To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life.'"

Bro. J. Rice writes from Goodland, Mich. Jan. 17th, 1858: "It has been but a short time since I embraced the doctrines of the Bible. I verily thought that I believed the Bible before, but I had always read from tradition and superstition. I did not look at it as it was; but I am now trying to read for God, and live and think for God. I feel that I am the Lord's, and all that I have is his. I do believe that if we live as we should live, we shall see greater manifestations of his spiritual presence then has been witnessed since the days of the apostles. The Lord is the same, his love the same, and it is our privilege to be the same now as the primitive christians were and have the same power with God in prayer that they had. I have become acquainted with some few of the brethren; that has done me some good, and it does me good to hear from others through the Review."

C. A. Ingalls writes from Eureka, Wis., Jan. 13th, 1858: "It seems as if we could not do without the Review. It is all the preaching we have. We are alone in our faith, lonely and sad, but still trying to hold on to the sure promises of the Lord. We desire an interest in the prayers of the church for ourselves, and for all the lonely ones, that we may escape the dangers and snares that are coming upon the earth, and finally overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony."

Bro. M. H. Leonard writes from Burlington, Mich., Jan. 18th, 1858: "Through the blessing of God we are striving here in Burlington to see the end of the race, which end, we think, is near, even at the door. The crown of eternal life will very soon be placed upon our heads if we are faithful. Soon God's people will be at rest. O, that blessed hour is coming, when we shall be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, and from the tempter's cruel power.

"The brethren here are all united in striving to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. There is not a jarring string among those that meet for the worship of God. There were a few that commenced with us that found the way too narrow, and have stepped one side, and lost the way to meeting, and to those bright mansions in glory. But I never, never shall stop short of heaven, God being my helper. I hope God's scattered people will remember their brethren in Burlington at the throne of grace."