LETTERS by Geo. Wright

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 7, 1858

LETTERS.

By Geo. Wright

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another."

From Bro. Wright.

BRO. SMITH: It is with a deep sense of my inability that I attempt to address a few words through the Review to the dear saints scattered abroad. My heart has been made glad while reading the cheering exhortations which come to me through your truly valuable paper, from all parts of the land. May the same good spirit actuate me in this my first attempt, is my prayer. I can appreciate the full force of the language expressed in that beautiful Psalm, since I embraced the present truth, [Ps. cxxxiii.] "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head," &c. In our social meetings and our daily intercourse with each other, this should be the feeling of every honest heart. The Lord help us to love him with all our heart, might, mind and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves is my prayer.

About three months ago, Brn. Cornell and Lawrence came to this place with the tent, and began proclaiming the Third Angel's Message and kindred doctrines. Evening after evening the truth was presented, as clear as the noon-day sun, to my mind and heart; and thank my God that he inclined my heart to receive it through the love of it; and I am now endeavoring by all the powers that God has given me, to practice it, do all his commandments that I may have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city. As soon as I decided, and took a public stand to keep the Sabbath of the Lord our God, then persecution commenced. I had given my name a few months previous to the M. E. Church, at which time, and onward to the time of my embracing the present truth, the band of fellowship was extended in the warmest manner both by minister and laymen. But now the minister meets me in the street, and in an authoritative tone demands if I endorsed the views of the tent men, as he was pleased to call the tent brethren. I replied that I was in perfect sympathy with them, and requested him to take my name off the Class hook. What ensued I will not dwell upon here. Suffice it to say, his brotherly love suddenly left him. For my part, in view of what I heard that day and the spirit manifested since, I feel to bless God that I have got out of Babylon, and can rejoice in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made me free.

Bro. Cornell has given a full report of the tent meetings. I believe God has raised up a church of devoted souls in Lapeer, that will be a terror to evil-doers and a praise to them that do well. May God in his infinite mercy help us to keep humble, and live very near to him. We are now busily engaged heart and hand in erecting a house to be dedicated to God and his truth. The Lord, willing, we expect to have it completed by the first of November. Bro. Cornell is with us, laboring in word and doctrine and cheering us by his presence and counsel. The Lord spare him in his labors of love.

Last Sabbath I listened to an excellent discourse on baptism by Bro. Cornell, after which eleven followed the Lord in baptism. It was a deeply solemn and interesting scene to me. To-day, by request, Bro. Cornell preached a funeral sermon five miles east of this place, in a steam saw mill, to a large and attentive audience. Subject, man's nature, state between death and the resurrection, and the final triumph over death and the grave, of those that have part in the first resurrection. It was clear and impressive. May the seed sown, bring forth an hundred fold. This afternoon, Bro. Lawrence filled an appointment northeast of this place. The Lord gave him great freedom on the perpetuity of the law. This was a subject well adapted to stir up investigation, as it was before a Protestant Methodist Class, where their minister had a few days previous, preached the law of ten commandments abrogated. I have had conversation with the class leader since; he tells me Bro. Lawrence has the truth, and spoke his sentiments. Let this scripture encourage the heart of every messenger: 'Cast thy bread upon the waters and thou shalt find it after many days.'

Brn. C. and L. work well together. C. plants and L. waters, and God gives the increase. I trust Bro. L. will give himself entirely to the work, for which God so evidently designs him.

"Strike! let every nerve and sinew, Tell on ages, tell for God!"

I, for one, and I know I speak the sentiment of every honest heart that has embraced the truth in Lapeer and vicinity, feel to thank the Lord that he directed his messengers this way. The Lord enable us as a church to make a full consecration of all that we have and are to his service, that we may be sheltered in the day of his wrath, from the coming storm.

I desire the prayers of all those that keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus, that I may be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of man, and sing that new song with all the redeemed, on Mount Zion.

Yours in love of the truth. GEO. WRIGHT. Lapeer, Mich., Sept. 20th, 1858.