Faith Amid Trials and Isolation
By Fanny Freeman
Bro. Smith: We love to read the Review, situated as we are, alone in the present truth. We feel sometimes like one of old, that we dwell in a dry and thirsty land where no water is. We have not seen any of the messengers since Brn. Loughborough, Hart and Everts preached at Dodgeville. We have thought that perhaps Brn. Ingraham and Sanborn might be directed this way. We wished to attend the tent meeting west of Monroe, but were disappointed. Many are the trials we have experienced through the past winter. Not being able to meet our payments we were obliged to let our land go. We are now living in Arena, west of the depot, and should any of the brethren and sisters pass by on the cars, will they please call and see us. We have felt under every dispensation of God's providence to look to him to guide and lead us, and feel now to say, The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Yet often when meditating on the straight gate and narrow way, I feel that unless I am more diligent, have more grace, more of that faith that works by love and purifies the heart, I shall be one that hath said Lord, Lord, in vain. I need your prayers brethren and sisters, that while surrounded by the gay and thoughtless, I may be one that shall be living soberly, righteously and godly in this present evil world, looking for and hastening unto the appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; that my eyes may be turned from vanity to behold wondrous things from the law of the Lord. When reading the cheering letters in the Review from sisters who show much stability of mind in regard to dress and fashion, I have felt that I needed my strength renewed, to come up to the point to which they have attained. When I consider the beauty of Christ's church when they will stand forth clear as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners, I cannot bear the thought that my name should be left out. I desire that my mind should be deeply impressed with a sense of the near coming of the Lord. May the Lord speed on the message and send forth his light and his truth; may his priests be clothed with salvation, and his saints shout aloud for joy. And when the refreshing time comes, may I be one of the number that shall be ready to receive it. Your unworthy sister in Christ.