Extracts from Letters by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1858

Extracts from Letters.

By Editor

Bro. W. Allen writes from Stoekbridge, Calumet Co., Wis., Sept. 17th, 1857: "I remember writing to you for the paper and promising to send one dollar, if possible, in the course of one year; but showing at the same time that sickness and death in our family, and other misfortunes, had caused us to leave our native State and friends, to seek a home in the backwoods of Wisconsin, where we found ourselves with five of our children who had escaped the savage monster, Death, on the 6th of May, 1856, with but five shillings in cash, and a very small portion of furniture, without a cow or stove, friends or connecion, surrounded only with the tall oaks of the forest, and secluded from society.

"We have but now and then the privilege of going to any religious meeting; and some of these are but a repetition of the old syren song, or like Catholicism teaching mankind the fear of eternal life in everlasting misery; and that the baptism introduced by John the Baptist, and sanctioned by the God of heaven, as it was practiced by our blessed Saviour, was not to be buried, but to be sprinkled with a little water on the forehead. Many more such principles are taught by modern preaching which are truly no food for the humble child of God.

"Now secluded as we are from Christian privileges we cannot deny the fact that your paper is a welcome visitor to cheer our lonely hours. The spirit in which many peices seem to have been written appears like the Spirit of our Master, and is manna to our souls; or like good news from a far country. I cannot yet see with you in respect to the Sabbath, yet I admire the zeal with which you advocate the gospel. My companion is a believer in the seventh-day Sabbath; and if any of your laborers in the gospel should come to Stockbridge, Calumet Co., Wis., they will find a welcome stopping place, and warm hearts, though its outward appearance may be like the place in which our Saviour was born."

Note.—Although the letter from which we extract the above has been overlooked so that its appearance is somewhat delayed, we trust that the warmth of the writer's heart has not in any degree abated. Judging from the tenor of his epistle and the spirit it breathes, all that seems to be lacking in his case is a hearty reception of, and obedience to, the truth. This we hope may soon be given. If any of those whose mission is among the highways and hedges, should find themselves in the vicinity of the place above mentioned, they will not of course pass him by. In a subsequent part of his letter he requests us through want of means, to discontinue his paper. But we not only continue it, but send it free, and appeal to those whose "garners are full affording all manner of store," if this is right.—Ed.

Bro. A. H. Hilliard writes from Madrid, St. Law. Co. N. Y., Jan. 10th, 1858: "I am much interested in the Review as it comes laden with present truth. I should feel bad were I deprived of the privilege of reading it from week to week. I often think of you and those connected with you in the Office. My prayer is that the Lord will sustain you in your labors of love in sending out the present truth. I often feel reproved by the counsel of the faithful and true Witness. I am satisfied that this message to the Laodicean church has not taken that deep hold of my heart that it should, in order to prepare me for the solemn scenes which are just before the remnant."