E. W. PHELPS by E. W. Phelps

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 11, 1858

E. W. PHELPS

By E. W. Phelps

From E. W. Phelps.

BRO. SMITH: Those who love the truth, and love to hear of the advancement of the glorious cause of God, will rejoice with us when I tell them that the church in this place is making some advancement in the cause of truth and holiness. We have with shame, and I trust with godly sorrow, beheld our lukewarm condition, and are endeavoring to raise the standard of Christian holiness high, and attain unto it.

Last Sabbath Bro. Steward was with us, and spoke with much freedom upon the ordinances of the Lord's house. After meeting we repaired to the water, and then put on Christ by baptism, and we humbly trust arose to walk in newness of life. In the evening we met to attend to the ordinances. Between thirty and forty Sabbath-keepers were present, and all seemed willing, yea, anxious to show their love and humility by washing the saints' feet. We felt that it was indeed blessed to do as Jesus had done. It was truly a solemn and heart-searching time, and my prayer is that the vows and determinations there made may never be broken.

And to you, dear brethren, who feel that the cause in Wisconsin is almost a wreck, I want to say, Do not be discouraged. I fully believe that there are many honest souls here who would sooner give up their life than the Sabbath. It is too true that the children of God in some places are in a cold and stupid state; but I firmly believe could we have a few faithful laborers in this part of the field we should again behold the churches in a flourishing condition. O that God would send forth more laborers; for truly the harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Bro. S. is doing all he can; he gives his whole time to the work, yet he cannot fill one half of the calls.

The Third Angel's Message is on the rise, and will soon go with a loud cry. The people seem anxious to hear, but how can they hear without a preacher? No one but Bro. S. in this wide harvest-field, and no fellow-laborer to take him by the hand and encourage him in his labors of love.

Dear brethren, remember him in your prayers. And if any one of the messengers could see it duty to come this way, they would receive a hearty welcome, at least from those in this place. Remember us all at the throne of grace.

Yours striving for the kingdom.

E. W. PHELPS

Lisbon, Wis., Jan. 28th, 1858.