'Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another.'
From Bro. Welcome.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Through the tender mercies of our heavenly Father I yet live to praise his name for his past goodness to me. Through trials and afflictions he has led me, but I can still say, Praise the Lord, he doeth all things well. Much of the time for the past three years I have suffered under a painful disease, the dropsy of the chest; but at one time last winter a number of the brethren collected together for the purpose of praying for me that my health might be restored. We had a powerful time; the Lord poured out his Spirit upon us, and heard and answered prayer in my behalf, and for over two months I was free from pain, and enjoyed good health, which had not been the case before for over two years, except for a few days at a time.
But this spring I was again attacked, and although the brethren have urged me to again apply to the great Physician, I cannot feel it duty. It seems as though it was God's will that I should suffer a little longer here below, in patience, and then bid farewell to these scenes of sorrow and sadness, and lie down to sleep, resting in hope, believing that I shall soon awake in the likeness of my blessed Saviour. For two months past I have suffered much, and have often felt that my work was done here on earth. And while I would think of parting with the friends I love, my family, my kindred, and the brethren and sisters who have so often sympathized with me in my affliction, and with whom I have often met in social meetings in different places, and mingled our voices together in prayer and praise to God, it made my heart feel. But again joy would spring up at the thought that as Jesus had died and rose again, so also when the earth shall be restored to its Eden beauty, all the righteous dead shall come forth clothed with immortality, death shall no more have dominion over us. Then shall loved ones meet to part no more forever, where sickness and pain cannot disturb our rest, but all is happiness, joy and peace, in the home prepared for the weary. Many times have these thoughts passed through my mind in the lonely night watches while I could not rest, and others were asleep, and other thoughts would come into my mind which would cause a self-examination. O how closely have I searched my heart, to see if all was right before God. And while I have deeply felt my unworthiness before him while realizing his holiness and purity, yet I could feel the gentle influence of the Spirit upon my heart and witnessing with my spirit that I was his child. Yet, O how weak, how unworthy of his love! Can it be possible that I, a poor sinner before God, have been brought back and restored to his favor, and can enjoy the light of his countenance, and his approving smiles? Yes, praise God! this is even so. There is peace in believing, and joy in the Holy Ghost. While the blood of Christ has been applied and our sins washed away, the weapons of our rebellion laid down, our wills all submitted to his will, it is our duty to believe that he accepts of us, and that we are restored to his favor through faith in Christ. O then I will continue to believe in Jesus unto the end, that my life may be hid with Christ in God, and when he appears I also may appear with him in glory.
Again, in my meditations my mind would run out after my brethren and sisters scattered throughout the land. How is it with you? Are you ready for the coming of the Saviour? Have you put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to fight manfully in his cause? Is your motto Holiness to the Lord? and while you profess to keep the commandments of God, do you keep them with all your heart? Is it your delight to do the whole will of God? Have you submitted your hearts unreservedly to him, giving all up to him, the world with all its fashions and vain allurements, its pride, its honors, its sayings and thinkings, its forms and customs, loving God with all your soul? If so, then praise God, all will be well; for God loves an undivided heart. But if not, if you only have an outward form of religion, if you have not the principle of love and obedience implanted within your hearts, if you seek to please men rather than God, to follow the fashions of this wicked world, having an anxiety as to how you shall dress to make a good appearance in the world, fearing to attend meetings unless you can dress as others do, if you turn a cold shoulder to all those that do not see as you see, and your hearts are filled with sectarianism, may God pity you.
I hope there are not many among those who profess to love the appearing of the Saviour, that are living in this way, though I fear there are some. To such I would say, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light. O do not rest on past experience, an old hope, or a dead form, for this cannot save71you. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Seek then for full salvation. Nothing short of an entire consecration to God will do, and now is the time it is required of us. Our talents, our time, our money, all should be upon the altar, sanctified and set apart for the Master's use. Thank God, many are awakening from sleep, arising and taking higher ground, seeking for higher attainments, hungering and thirsting after holiness of heart; while many stand looking on, knowing what their duty is, but continually putting it off, saying, "I wish I could overcome my evil disposition, my bad habits, my pride, my covetousness, my evil speaking, and I hope I shall get rid of them one of these days." "O my brother or sister, whoever you are; when will you get rid of them? now? or will you wait until it is said in thunder tones, "He that is unholy, let him be unholy still." Defer it not at the peril of your souls. Now is the accepted time, now is the time to present yourselves living sacrifices to God. Now is the time to show by your holy lives and conversation that you love to do the will of God, and now is the time to use the means that God has given you, to help spread the glad news of salvation to a perishing world. This, God requires at your hand. Let not the watchmen cry upon the walls without support, and you squandering your money for that which does you no good, for vain articles of apparel, and ornaments to deck your bodies that may soon moulder in the dust, but while the watchmen sound an alarm in God's holy mountain, stay up their hands with the Lord's money, and with your prayers and exhortations, that the message may go forth with mighty power, until many that now sit in darkness may be brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Yours in hope of a glorious resurrection beyond the grave.
S. C. WELCOME.
Almond, Wis.