Bro. Smith: It is some time since I have written anything for the Review; not because I have any less interest in the cause of truth, but other necessary cares and duties have occupied my time and taxed my energies, so that it has been next to impossible for me to write. It would have been pleasant to me could I have been present at the late gathering at Battle Creek, but the good effected by my attendance would not warrant the expenses of so long a journey. I am glad indeed to hear so good a report from the meeting and feel to endorse the resolutions, and to co-operate with the brethren in striving to spread abroad the knowledge of the truth. I feel confidence in this work, as being the work of God; consequently I wish to make no reserve, but to have all on board. God has made no provision for a retreat, and I wish to make none. He has given us a helmet, breastplate and shield, so that the whole front is protected; but has never made a single piece of armor for the back. Our only safety is in presenting a united front to the enemy.
I would say to the brethren in New York that it was with regret that I relinquished my intention of meeting with them in conference at Roosevelt. Yet perhaps it was the will of God that I should not attend. A day's sickness, that week, brought on by over-doing in traveling on foot, seemed to make it imprudent, in the little time I had left, to make the exertion necessary to get, in season, to the meeting. I am a servant of the church, however, to aid in carrying out the measures for the spread of truth, which their wisdom may deem necessary and expedient.
In regard to my labors in the highways and hedges, I have just entered a new field, in Greece, Monroe Co., which seems to promise a harvest of souls. There are a goodly number there that have, in a great measure, thrown off the shackles of sectarianism, seeing the corruptions of the so-called churches, and stand in a place where they are at liberty to embrace Bible truth. I have given them one discourse on the unity of the true church, to be effected by means of the special messages ordained in the word of prophecy, which was well received. I go to them again next First-day, the Lord willing.
The Lord is at work for the children of his people in Western N. Y. One has lately put on the Lord Jesus by being baptized into his death, and I hope that others who are hesitating will have courage to turn their backs upon the world, and seek the Lord with all their hearts. I hope they will see things in their true light, ere the spirit of the world and the pride of life, shall bind them up with the wicked, and so they be left to seek the Lord when he cannot be found of them. I am persuaded better things of them, though I thus speak. Some hearts are made tender by the Spirit of God; some partially subdued by providential dispensations towards them. I hope they will receive the exhortation: "To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts."