Laboring for the Cause in Ohio
By William Russell
Bro. Smith: I feel very thankful that the remnant, who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, have a medium through which they can communicate their thoughts, feelings and desires to each other, and to encourage those who are traveling the narrow way that leads to everlasting life. I am thoroughly satisfied that the Review is a mighty engine at work, pulling down the strong holds of error, and an effectual means of establishing those who are wavering in the present truth. O that those who conduct its publication, and contribute to its pages, may be filled with the Spirit, and be endued with wisdom from on high, that all who read it may be inspired with holy zeal in this glorious cause. As many of the brethren have desired me to write that they might know how I was getting along in this wilderness place, (for it is a moral wilderness where the saints of God are not,) I will endeavor to give a brief sketch of what I have been doing, pertaining to the cause in which we are engaged, since I left Wisconsin last April. In a few days after I arrived in this State I went to the conference at Gilboa, where I found many brethren, and sisters whom I dearly love, and hope to meet in the everlasting kingdom. Here I met with Brn. Waggoner, Holt and Butler, messengers in the cause of truth, who are endeavoring to proclaim the everlasting gospel of the coming and kingdom of Christ, and have since been with them in the Ohio tent at Mt. Blanchard, where they labored for the salvation of souls. But the enemy of all righteousness closed the ears and hearts of the people, and prevented many from coming out to hear. While sitting there in the tent and hearing the word presented with such clearness that even the most unlearned could comprehend it, and with such demonstrations of reasoning, based on infallible scripture evidence, that the most learned could not overthrow it, the thought came into my mind, is it possible for the hearers to refuse to comply with the conditions of offered salvation, and turn from their evil ways, come out of Babylon, keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus? It seemed to me that all must be constrained to obey the truth. But O how sadly different! Comparatively but a small part of the good seed falls on good ground. O bless the Lord that even a small part falls in good ground, and is nourished by the gentle dews of heaven. The messengers should not be discouraged if oftentimes they see no visible fruit of their toil and labor. Look back to the days of the Saviour and the apostles. How were they utterly rejected and turned away with scorn and contempt, and persecuted even unto death. They had a work to do; so have his servants at this time. Dear brethren and sisters, let us unite our hearts in fervent prayer for a more universal spread of the last message of mercy, and for those who are called to leave their pleasant homes to go out into the field to warn sinners to flee the impending wrath of the seven last plagues, and the second death. They (the laborers) see many lonely trying hours; but in the midst of their trials they have the consolations of the gospel. They go forth weeping bearing precious seed. The cheering hours will be when they come again bringing their sheaves with them. These will be stars in their crowns in the day of their rejoicing. Praise the Lord! When I came to this country, one of my most prominent objects was to get the truth before my relatives and friends. I endeavored to get one of the above named laborers to come and give a course of lectures to the people in this place, but duty called them elsewhere. Bro. Butler however gave one discourse, but thought there were no ears to hear. This did not remove the burden that I felt for this people, and consequently I undertook the arduous task of giving a course of lectures. I gave twelve, and most of the time to a goodly number of hearers. At first I was looked upon as a fanatic, and the doctrine was ridiculed with contempt. This however was on account of having judged before they heard the matter. On hearing, several became interested, and the interest was good when I closed. There are quite a number that believe we have the truth. O that the Lord may give them willing minds and obedient hearts to practice what they have heard and believed. But there are others who have become very indignant towards our position. A United Brethren class leader said, the evening I presented the fall of Babylon, that my doctrine was the plagues spoken of in Revelation. The Methodist leader said, so I have been informed, that if I did not go to hell, (orthodox hell of course) it would not be because my religion would prevent. Here we see the ire of the dragon stirred up against the truth, ready to persecute, as he did the people of God anciently. Since I presented the fall of spiritual Babylon, our position has been verified by their unholy conduct. A minister of the Protestant Methodist church assaulted and whipped a man in Mt. Blanchard for some trivial offence. A leader of a Methodist class ran to the same excess of riot on last first-day, it being their Sabbath, or rather, the pope's, which they profess to keep. I have conversed with some professors here who think it very conducive to the progress of Christianity to have various creeds and church organizations, so that if a person does not like one class he can choose another, and thus the peculiar views of every one can be suited. This is certainly a nice place of Satanic mechanism. He has many coats for his followers, and can fit them out with every appendage they want. According to the above teaching, when will they come into the unity of the faith, and the watchmen see eye to eye? It is a sad picture to see those who profess to be the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus thus distracted, and filled with pride and arrogance, traveling in the broad way that Satan has cast up for the multitudes that are deceived by him. Dear brethren and sisters, let us all be up and doing while the day lasts. Let us not sleep as do others lest we be overtaken, and that day come upon us as a thief. Remember Satan is at work with power and signs and lying wonders, and by this means will deceive many. Let us watch and pray lest we enter into temptation. Your brother waiting for the kingdom of God.
WM. RUSSELL. Clement, Ohio, July, 1859. P. S. I leave, the Lord willing, in a few days for Mauston, Juneau Co., Wis.
W. R.