Bro. Smith: I want to say to the brethren that I have feelings of gratitude to God for what he has done for the little branch of the vine in this place for a few weeks past. We were favored a short time since with a visit from Bro. Rhodes who labored with us nearly a week, and did the church much good. The word spoken was meat in due season. The ordinances of the Lord's house were attended to, and it was a season of refreshing which will be long remembered as the beginning of better days. The brethren as a general thing are rising, notwithstanding the efforts of Satan to hinder. At our last Wednesday evening prayer-meeting some of the enemies of present truth came in and tried to hinder the work; but praise the Lord, their efforts were overruled by the Lord, and we were blest, encouraged and strengthened. We had an unusually free time. One of the above spoken of was Eld. Clark (Age-to-Come), formerly of Portland, Me. He tried soft words at first to entice from the truth; but this proving ineffectual, he resorted to low, vile, blackguardism. The names of James and Ellen White were freely used, and stigma upon stigma heaped upon them, which instead of weakening, tended to strengthen us. Truly the accuser of our brethren has come down. I have felt of late like girding on the armor, especially the shield of faith, that I may be able to quench the fiery darts of the adversary, and live so that I may be accounted worthy to escape those things that are coming to pass upon the earth, and to stand before the Son of man. My daily prayer is, What will the Lord have me to do? I have had some trials, but have realized lately that if I love God, these things shall work for my good; and in view of this I can thank God for them. I believe that the conflict with Satan will soon be over. Soon the last battle will be fought, and then if faithful we shall enter our glorious home, and forever be at rest. Time is short and what is done must be done quickly. Brethren pray for us that we may be found among the remnant at the coming of Jesus. Your brother striving for the kingdom,
L. Lathrop.