“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another.”
From Bro. Jones.
Bro. Smith: I have felt of late the great importance of waking up to the interests of the cause in which we are engaged, and of living strictly in obedience to all the requirements of God. I am but a child as it were in the faith and have much to learn and much to do in order to overcome. I meet with some trials, yet they are nothing; they vanish like the morning dew when I see what others have to bear for Christ's sake, and in view of the reward of those who overcome.
I feel very thankful that brother Sanborn was ever directed this way, and for the influence that was brought to bear upon me, to bring me where I could hear the message. O may the Lord bless the messengers and keep their feet from sliding while they have to contend with a world lying in wickedness. I commenced trying to keep the commandments some time in Jan. last, after some months' investigation. Since that time I have tried to live a Bible Christian. God has blessed me often, and enabled me to overcome many trials and besetting sins. I often think of the words, "In the world ye shall have tribulation but in me ye shall have peace."
Brn. Sanborn and Ingraham met with us May 21st and 22nd. Eight were baptized and I think the church was much strengthened and encouraged to go on in the way to life. We feel interested in the welfare of perishing men. Although it was the lot of many to be involved in debt when they embraced the message, we have adopted the plan of systematic benevolence laid down in the Review that we may help run the tent, and support the families of the messengers. The brethren and sisters have given their names for a sum varying from 3 to 20 cents per week. May the Lord speed on his work and enable us all to see and do our duty, both to him and to our fellow men. I feel that God and his cause have claims upon me. While I enjoy the privilege of meeting with a goodly number of brethren and sisters every Sabbath, others are deprived of this privilege; and while the light of truth has sprung up here, there are thousands that are drooping in darkness, violating the holy law of God, and are numbered with those who worship the beast, whose end is to be destroyed. Rev. xiv, 9, 10. While we see in the word of God the awful denunciations of wrath soon to be poured out on a wicked world, it ought to stir us up to labor in earnest for the good of our neighbors, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives and children. We should leave no means untried, no stone unturned that we may rescue as many as possible before probation's hour shall close. Let us economize all we can, leave off our tea, coffee and tobacco, and try and pay our debts, both to God and man. O that the awakening angel might visit every heart. I feel that we have none too much time to prepare to meet him who is our life, that we may appear with him in glory.