p. 62 | L E T T E R S by I. S. Chaffee

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1858

L E T T E R S .

By I. S. Chaffee

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

From Bro. Chaffee.

Bro. SMITH : I am still striving to do God's holy will, and I find it to be a self-denying way to live; but I can say that it is more than my meat and my drink to do my Master's will. I praise God that he has shown me that if I love the world the love of the Father is not in me. God in his tender mercy has taken the love of this world and its honors from me, and I hope by his grace to lay aside the sin that does so easily beset me. There are those here that say that the Sabbath and second Advent doctrine is of the Devil; but I believe that if God set apart one day for a rest day, it was the seventh day, and no other day will answer for the Sabbath. I have come to the conclusion that when we are willing to keep the first and great commandment which is, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy mind &c., then we shall be willing to keep the fourth, and let the world say what it pleases of us. I want to know that I am doing every duty and that my ways please God, and I will be satisfied.

We have trials here, but know we not that the trial of our faith is more precious than gold? and we have temptations, but we have the promise that we shall not be tempted above that we are able to bear. I feel that it is time for the people of God to come up to the help of the Lord, and lay aside every sin that doth easily beset. Surely we must fight if we would reign; but our weapons are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. O that God would harness us for the battle! We need to present ourselves a living sacrifice to God, holy and acceptable; for without holiness no man can see the Lord. There is a growth in grace, and our path may grow brighter and brighter. Although we have temptations and trials on the way, we must cast our care on Jesus and not forget to pray. I feel that I am growing stronger in the Lord day by day, and I am striving for the faith once delivered to the saints. Brethren and sisters, I believe in holiness of heart, and I have often felt of late the renovating power of the Holy Spirit. Glory to God for what he has done for me, and what he is willing to do for us all. I request the prayers of all God's dear children, that I may prove faithful.

Yours in love. I. S. CHAFFEE. Ordino, Wis., June 19th, 1858.