Four Years in the Present Truth
By D. F. & C. Moore
Bro. Smith, and the saints scattered abroad: It is four years the past Winter since we received the present truth. Bro. Cornell then came to this place alone, and with fear and trembling commenced his labors among us. I think he gave seven lectures, at the close of which brother and sister Edmonds, and ourselves commenced showing our faith by keeping the next Sabbath. We are still trying to keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, but begin to realize that the commandment is exceeding broad. We have been striving together for the faith once delivered to the saints, and an inheritance among the sanctified; together we received the ordinance of baptism, and we hope together to be sealed with the seal of the living God, that we may stand in the hour of temptation that is coming upon all the world to try them. Amid the perils of the last days, when the Lord shall arise to shake terribly the earth, when men shall seek death and shall not find it, then we hope to be hid in the secret of God's pavilion, until the storm of his wrath be overpast. Dear brethren and sisters who have presented the truth to us, we thank you for your labors of love, and hope you may turn many to righteousness. May you be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We believe the message is rising, that what is done for the cause must be done speedily, or the offering will be rejected. It grieves me to see that the work of the Lord cannot be carried on as it should be for want of means. If the Lord works for us we shall soon be in a position where we can do more than we ever have done. We believe the loud cry will soon go; yes, and another cry, "Go to now, ye rich men," &c. We think the little band here is striving to get the whole armor on, and stand in defense of the truths we profess. Yours in hope of eternal life. Saline, Mich., Apr. 12th, 1858.