COMMUNING WITH ONE ANOTHER.
By G. W. Amadon
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: As a free interchange of thoughts and feelings tends to keep alive the flame of Christian love, and as we are commanded to exhort one another as we see the day approaching, I most cheerfully take this method of expressing my heart to you. I love God's cause, his truth and his people; and if anything builds up my faith, it is to hear of the increased piety and enlargement of his church. I exceedingly rejoice that God's children are one—their hope, their faith, and their sympathy are the same—and what a powerful argument is this in favor of their being the true remnant church. I feel to rejoice in view of the unity and love which seem to pervade our ranks; the spirit of teachability also among us indicates that Bible truth is having a good effect upon all. Of late I have felt an increased desire to draw near to God. I most fully believe it is the privilege of his people to live very near him. For one I want to come up to my privilege, and daily partake of that bread which comes down from heaven. I am glad that the attention of the brethren and sisters is being called to practical subjects. This is just what we want—every day, practical religion—religion that will comfort and direct amid the trials and duties of this vacillating life. The Lord directed the attention of us all to a great and practical subject some time since, in the affectionate call to the Laodicean church. O how deplorably weak and poor and naked were we then, but it did prove an effectual antidote to all those who received it, and opened the door of their hearts and let the Saviour in. I am glad and thankful for the jealous care that the Lord exercises towards his people; and shall we be slow to bring in all our tithes, spiritual and temporal, in return for his paternal love and care? I hope not, but pray that each of us may esteem it a privilege to lay our all upon the altar of truth, which is but a reasonable service. Now is a good time, rather the only time, to prove the Lord and see if he will not pour us out a blessing. I believe he will when we reconsecrate ourselves and begin to sacrifice to God. And all have a share in this matter; it is a company concern, and the more freely we invest now, the greater our reward in heaven. There is not much danger in this covetous, tight-fisted age of going too far—of being too free. The danger is right opposite. In a great majority of cases the spiritual barometer is the wallet, and the vulnerable point is not the heart, but the purse; but thanks be to God, a plan has been devised (systematic benevolence) which will show whether our faith is mixed with works, and who is on the Lord's side—in this particular at least. I have often felt grieved that the young in our ranks did not fully lay themselves out for the work and sacrifice for God. Does God excuse young men blessed with health and means of livelihood, from bearing burdens in this cause? I don't believe he does, though their actions would too often say that this is the case. I am acquainted with some (and there are probably hundreds of others), who do not give enough yearly to pay for a copy of the Review and Instructor, and they never think of buying tracts, &c., to help advance the third angel's message. Such things ought not so to be; and I most ardently pray that these delinquent youth will remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how that it is more blessed to give than to receive. God will hold us all responsible for the health he kindly gives us. We are not our own, but we are bought with a price, therefore let us honor the Lord with the reward of our hands as well as the fruit of our lips. I hope none will find fault with the plan lately devised, which is so well calculated to equalize certain burdens necessary to be borne in the church. One might think it wrong in this particular, and another in that, while neither could suggest a better plan. The course of such would remind me very much of a little incident in the life of bishop Hall. One of his neighbors called upon him to have a conversation upon a certain doctrine about which they differed. The bishop produced very strong reasons, and cited many scriptures in favor of his view, but all seemingly to no purpose. "Mr. Hall, I don't see it, I don't see it," said the man. The good bishop then took his pen and wrote a word on a piece of paper. "There," said he to his friend, "do you see that word?" "O yes," he replied. Mr. Hall then took from his pocket a piece of money and laid it on the word which he had written, and said to him, "Do you see it now?" "O no, for you have covered it over," said the other. "That is your trouble," said the bishop. "You have covered your eyes. There is the truth in the Bible, in plain English, and if you don't see it, it must be your own fault." Let those who can't see the propriety of systematic benevolence think of this anecdote, and see if there is any analogy in the two cases. But I am greatly digressing from my intention when I began to write this letter. Brethren and sisters, one and all, old and young, all together, let us come up to the help of the Lord in the third angel's message, and get where salvation freely flows. Let us move forward as we are moved upon by the Spirit of God, and leave the event with him. My heart dilates with joy that we have got the truth, truth that is far more dear that gold, precious stones or rubies, truth that will stand when every thing else will fall. How thankful we all ought to be that we have the truth—truth that will at last procure for us an abundant entrance into the city of God. Praise the Lord, truth endureth for ever. O I am thankful for the truth—the present truth. Now there are a great many different kinds of truth in the scriptures, some relating to one period and some to another, but the truth that we want, and which is most adapted to our case, is the truth for 1859. I hope God will fill all our hearts brim full, with the power and love of present truth. Brethren, let us wake up in the cause of God. While God is evidently waking up the mighty ones of earth, we ought not to be asleep. Let us not sleep as do others, but watch and be sober. The times are growing perilous. We already feel the thrilling force of Paul's words. Systems are being undermined, creeds are exploding, thrones are being shaken, men's hearts are failing them through fear, and soon every man's work will be tried of what sort it is. I am glad that the Christian's hope is immovable; for it is founded on the Bible. It will stand the fiery ordeal just ahead. And while some build on philosophy, nature and human reason, let us be thankful that our foundation is that of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Come, brethren let us come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty, and fight the spiritual battles of the Captain of our salvation. Who is really on the Lord's side, as our faith and works will readily show, is the great question with us now. In the patience of the saints. Waukon, Iowa, Aug. 20th., 1859.