A Lonely Commandment-Keeper in a Slave State
By T. L. Hawkins
BRo. SMITH: I am, as far as I know, a lonely commandment-keeper in this State, (cursed with slavery.) Eighteen months ago I emigrated from Fremont, Ohio, from the warm bosom of many enduring Advent friends. I was thirty years a local preacher of the Methodist denomination, and from '43 have been a firm advocate of the soon coming of the Redeemer. I hailed with great joy the true explanation of the Sanctuary, which has removed all obscurity from the seeming mystery of prophecy, given a double impetus to the doctrine of the immediate return of the nobleman, brought down upon a slumbering, guilty world, the awful emphasis of the third and last message of mercy, and produced a perfect resurrection of the two tables of God's righteous law. I am sorry to say I have not been as zealous during my stay in this slave state as I should have been. My only excuse is my extreme feebleness in decline of life, the want of muscular action and energy; but I will endeavor to let my example and private conversation still proclaim a coming Saviour which has by the grace of God made at least one Sabbath proselyte. It appears to me that God has given over the slave States to the great enemy of man. The seducing spirits of these last days meddle not with the Southern States; they seem to think no struggle required there. I have not seen in all the subscribers for the Review one from these States. Am I too harsh in this conjecture? If so, I hope forgiveness. Pray for the aged and lonely, waiting redemption.
T. L. HAWKINS.
Liberty, Clay Co., Missouri, Apr. 2d, 1853.