"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."
From Bro. Chapel.
BRO. SMITH: I take this opportunity to let you know how we are prospering in the cause of the Lord. I feel truly grateful to the Lord for his loving kindness in giving us the truth and light in regard to our present position, and I think that the majority of the church here are trying to arise from their lukewarmness, by being zealous and repenting of all past wrongs, and endeavoring to buy the gold and white raiment, and to get their eyes anointed that they may see.
When I look back upon my past life, and see how far from the Lord I have been, I wonder that the Lord could bear with me and give me another warning and chance to get right, and into the work of the Lord, by the message of the faithful and true Witness. O the long suffering of God to his erring creatures! I believe the last notes of warning are now being given, to prepare a church to stand in the time of trouble, and all that heed the message of the true Witness will be prepared to stand, and will with all the true Israel of God enter the gates into the city. Can it be possible that any will be so unwise as to let the warning pass and not be zealous and repent, and finally be left to perish, and be destroyed by the seven last plagues? I feel a great desire to have my whole soul in the work of the Lord, and to be wholly consecrated to him. I want the truth to have a sanctifying influence on my life, and in whatsoever I do, have an eye single to the glory of God. The apostle James gives us some good instruction, which I think is applicable to the present time. He says, "submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted and mourn and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." James iv, 7-11. This testimony agrees with Joel ii, 12, 13. "Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil."
Yours in hope of eternal life. L. R. CHAPEL.
Palermo, N. Y., Nov. 22nd, 1857.