Extracts from Letters

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 1, 1858

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. Z. Marsh writes from Northfield, Mass., March, 13th, 1858: "While troubles and trials are gathering around our pathway, I am still looking for more and severer trials; for the troubles that now are show plainly to my mind that the time of trouble such as never was is about to commence; for wherever in this part of the land we look, we see many new, formidable enemies rising up. Here is confusion or mixture, and the contending of many opposite religious principles, rendering it a Babel indeed. Here we see the strides of modern Spiritualism, increasing as it has not done before, and by it God and his word are continually blasphemed. But Spiritualism is not all that makes these times peculiarly perilous. There are other peculiar sentiments which have arisen and drawn away some, almost as pernicious as this. Some tell us that the converted person cannot sin, thus with conversion ending our probationary state.

"Dear brethren, these things are showing us that we are in perilous times; still we need not conclude that we have arrived to that time of trouble such as never was, but we are nearing it; and while we, or any of us, see the wolf coming, let us give the alarm that the blood of souls be not found in our garments. I am alone in this place on the Third Angel's Message, and am in my weak way trying to keep the Commandments of God, and trust that I have the Faith of Jesus. While I find that many, yea, the whole of the community about me, are striving against God's law, it is still my duty to let my faith be known by my works.

"Dear brethren, pray for me that I may hold out faithful, that so an abundant entrance may be administered to me into God's everlasting kingdom. I have not seen any Sabbath-keepers for several months, and no preachers for years. Should any come this way I should be happy to have them call."