Encouragement from Western Believers
By C. Inglefield
Bro. Smith: Till I noticed in your ever welcome paper of the 8th ult., the query, Why do we not hear more from the brethren and sisters through the Review? I supposed that you were overburdened with correspondence, and that not half was published that was received. If a word from us in the West can in the least degree encourage our dear brethren and sisters in Christ, most cheerfully do we add our mite. Of the glad tidings of the gospel in the broad sunlight of the present truth we were entirely ignorant until last September, when brethren Hull and Cornell visited our town. Of the result of their labors you are already apprised. Although we number not less than seventy, and feel a deep yearning of spirit that our families, our friends, and our neighbors may embrace the truth and go with us, yet to numbers as such, we have no regard, and seldom refer to it to each other. Whether we number seventy or seven the glorious truths are the same, just as precious to the believer. And how precious! O could you see us, gathered together as we are from the different sections of Babylon as well as from the world, with "one Spirit, in one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel;" not having been disaffected towards the former organizations to which we were attached, for many of us parted from them with much reluctance as from our common mother; could you, could our brethren and sisters scattered abroad see us, how would your hearts "rejoice with them that do rejoice." Never before have I witnessed such manifestations of genuine Christian brotherly love; full, free, outgushing; not the ebullition of feeling, but predicated on an intelligent faith in the doctrines of the Bible. Better expressed by Paul, "Knit together in love, unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding." In the light of present truth how71clear the word of God shines! How the former mysteries are unsealed so that "wayfaring men though fools shall not err therein." How we love our Bibles, making them our companions day and night! We meet for prayer on the evening of the Sabbath; in the morning to search the Scriptures whether these things are so; and in the afternoon for prayer and especially to encourage each other by our testimony for Christ. Our regular weekly prayer-meeting is on Wednesday evening; besides which we have one or two prayer-meetings each week in private houses. Our county judge has generously granted us the use of the old court-house for Sabbath and Wednesday. We are weak, but babes in the truth, and we need to meet often, to exhort one another daily. We need to be much in prayer, to be importunate at the mercy-seat. We are in earnest, determined in His strength to go up and possess the city. We want to be dead to the world, to be wholly consecrated to the service of God. We want to walk in the straight testimony of Jesus to the foot of the cross. We want to be humble, consistent, whole-hearted followers of the Lamb. O brethren, pray for us. Pray with us "that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified." Yours in the bonds of truth,