Encouragement in the Faith
By Geo. Wright
BRO. SMITH: With a grateful heart to my heavenly Father I would acknowledge his goodness to me and mine; and to the dear ones of like precious faith scattered abroad I would say a few words of encouragement. Let us contemplate for a moment the unspeakable love of God, in the gift of his dear Son to die for us, the just for the unjust, to bring us to himself. Well might the poet exclaim, "O for this love let rocks and hills
Their lasting silence break,
And all harmonious human tongues,
Their Saviour's praises speak." Brethren and sisters, let us from this hour set out anew and send up our united petitions to the most holy place for a deeper and more thorough work. My own soul cries out while I write, Praise the Lord, and let all that is within me praise his holy name. When I think of the meek and lowly Redeemer, the humble path he trod, that he had not where to lay his head, and then of my own unfaithfulness, and what the Lord has done for me, I cannot praise him enough. Remember his promise is, if we suffer we shall also reign with him. The prayer of my heart is, O Lord, give me patience. Yes, let patience have her perfect work, and I can say that with one of old, I would rather suffer affliction with the people of God than enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season. It is now about ten months since I commenced to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of his dear Son. Then it was I began truly to live. Previous to that my life was a mere blank. I feel determined, the Lord being my helper, to consecrate myself fully to his service. Reviewing this brief period, I can say with Bro. J. Clarke, I thak the Lord for loving, faithful brethren, and the many precious seasons I have enjoyed in our social meetings. Often has the Spirit of the Lord descended like the gentle dew upon us. My present business gives me the privilege of meeting often with the people of God at different points. I have had precious seasons with the little churches at Orion and Shelby. I found them given to hospitality. The Lord reward them for their many kind acts to their unworthy brother. I believe if we are faithful we shall soon sing the new song with the redeemed on mount Zion. Lord, hasten the day. The cause of present truth is onward in this part of the State. Five come together in North Branch about twenty miles north-east of Lapeer. They have heard but two or three lectures, and our good little paper has told them the rest. Bro. Barnard, from there tarried with me over night a short time since. I found him strong in the truth, so far as he knows, and manifesting a strong desire to have the truth presented there. He thinks there are mony honest souls there that would come out. Bro. Lawrence intends to visit them, and stay as long as duty may direct. May the Lord bless the effort put forth, and bring out such as shall be saved in his kingdom. GEO. WRIGHT.
Lapeer, Mich., June 18th, 1859.