BRO. SMITH: by J. A. Wilcox

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 5, 1858

BRO. SMITH:

By J. A. Wilcox

From Bro. Wilcox.

BRO. SMITH:

I can truly say that my faith in the promises of God, has been increasing, especially of late. I have proved the Lord to be indeed a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God. I know by happy experience that he is "a present help in every time of need," whenever I lift my heart's desire to him in childlike faith and simplicity. I will praise God for his unbounded goodness and long suffering to me, though I have to regret that I do not at all times appreciate the great goodness of God to a poor unworthy creature like myself.

I have been informed, by good authority, that the paper which has been published in New York city, a few months past, under the title of "The Way of Life," devoted to the cause of the revivals in the nominal churches, has been discontinued for want of a sufficient circulation, or funds. Their last issue, was the 10th inst., up to this date, July 23d.

Its leading principles, were expressed as follows: "We will advocate the interests of Catholic Christianity, leaning towards no particular church, giving precedence to no particular sect, as such, but, we trust, representing those most important principles which have united christians everywhere during the present religious revival."

Surely one would think that a religious paper, once established on such a broad basis as is expressed above, would receive a hearty, liberal support among the nominal churches as a mass, especially if the union of the different sects, is as strong as represented in the above extract. The fact that the "Way of Life" has failed, for want of means from those whose cause it was advocating, together with the determined opposition of the sects, as a body, against the solemn truths connected with the Third Angel's Message, of Rev. xiv, 9–12, wherever they are clearly presented among them, is sufficient evidence to my mind of their fallen, lamentable condition. Yet God has a few precious jewels still lingering in Babylon. As the voice of the Third Angel is sounding louder and louder, one after another are heeding the voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people, that yo be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

In proof of this, we have testimony from time to time in the Review from such.

Dear brethren and sisters, I can truly say that I love the precious, present truth which God has intended as saving truth for this generation, if they will only heed it. But alas! how few are willing to heed it, and be despised enough to obey it. Many professed christians do not seem to realize that our beloved Redeemer trod a rough and thorny path, that he has set his followers an example that they should follow in his steps. I hope for one by the grace of God to be enabled to imitate him in all his blessed examples, and walk in the humble path he trod.

As the light of God's precious truth is shining brighter and brighter on our pathway, I feel to take fresh courage in this good warfare to the kingdom. I feel more than ever resolved by the help of God to never give over the struggle with the powers of darkness for eternal life, till victory turns on Zion's side. I expect my faith will be thoroughly tried. Says the prophet Daniel, "Many shall be purified, made white and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand."

The following words of the poet, express the feelings of my heart at the present time:

"Here o'er the earth as a stranger I roam, Here is no rest, is no rest. Here as a pilgrim, I wander alone, Yet I am blest, I am blest. For I look forward to that glorious day, When sin and sorrow will vanish away. My heart doth leap when I hear Jesus say, 'There, there is rest, there is rest.'"

J. A. WILCOX. Williamsburg. N. Y., July, 1858.