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L E T T E R S

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 5, 1860

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 15, No. 20.

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L E T T E R S.

By S. C. Wellcome

“Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another.”
From Bro. Wellcome.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I again attempt to write a few lines for the Review, although it is in weakness. For the past three weeks I have been confined to my bed by sickness the most of the time, but being able to sit up and hold my pen, I feel that I must speak a few words to the scattered ones, many of whom are afflicted in various ways, some, like myself, having peculiar trials to pass through. I do believe that it is the duty of God’s dear children to speak often one to another, to cheer and comfort each other on the way, and to stir up each other’s pure minds by way of remembrance; and I thank God for the Review which is a medium through which we can speak. O may God sanctify all our hearts that thus hold converse with each other, that we may write under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit, that it may be quick and powerful. Why, how it cheers the drooping spirits of the lonely brother or sister that is deprived of the privilege of meeting with others of like precious faith, while they can sit down and read the epistles from loved ones far away, who are filled with faith and the Holy Ghost; and although many are strangers to each other in the flesh, they are brought nigh by the precious blood of Christ. Yes, praise God for that union that exists in the hearts of the followers of Jesus! for while we speak of the love of God which is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, each one that enjoys that love in their hearts, seems to have it kindle up, and sometimes it is fanned into a flame, and the happy soul is led to shout forth praises to God who has given us his love thus fully to enjoy, and others are stimulated to renewed exertion, and seek to enjoy that love more richly in their hearts.
O, the fullness of that love, and yet how free! Can any of us be content to follow Jesus afar off, with but little or no love in our hearts, while it is our duty and privilege to follow close to his bleeding side? so close that the healing fountain may wash away all our sins? Praise God that such a fountain was ever opened for us poor sinful creatures, that we might be cleansed from all our filthiness and all our idols, and thus be enabled to walk in the highway of holiness, the way cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in.
O what a delightful way! The lion’s whelp has never trodden it, the vulture’s eye has never seen it, and man with his sinful heart and carnal mind has never walked therein. But thanks be to God, when man humbles himself under the mighty hand of God, and his heart is renewed by grace divine, the carnal mind taken away by the cleansing blood of Christ, then his feet are placed upon the Rock of Ages, and he begins to walk the narrow way marked by Christ’s most precious blood. By faith he views his Saviour just before him, and he loves to follow in his blessed footsteps. I praise God that I ever found this narrow way that leads direct to the city of the living God. O what a glorious light shines upon this path, while we follow close to the blessed Saviour. Our pathway is lighted through the gloomiest passages of life, and the more troubles thicken around us to darken our way, if our faith is fixed on God, the brighter the light seems to shine. The body may be racked with the most excruciating pain, yet the mind can be stayed on God, and kept in perfect peace. Ah! we know in whom we have believed, and we can say with the psalmist, He leadeth me through green pastures and by the side of still waters, and though I pass through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for his rod and his staff they comfort me. Do troubles of an earthly nature come upon us, and poverty stare us in the face? All is well; we are bound for the land of Eden, that beautiful home. Do earthly friends forsake us, or their unkind words come like daggers to the soul? We look away to Jesus; he was wounded in the house of his friends; he bore our griefs for us, he knows how to sustain us; therefore we can safely cast our care upon him, for he careth for us. He is like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. While we are almost ready to faint under our weakness, our faith shows him ever near, and we repose under the shadow of his wings; we rest on the bosom of his love. O blessed Saviour! How I love him! His name is music to my ears. My soul is filled with rapture while I dwell upon his goodness, and the greatness of the salvation he has purchased for us. I hardly know where to stop.
Brethren and sisters, are our hearts filled with his love? Have we sought for it with all our souls while the invitation has been, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest? Have we come in faith and found rest to our weary souls? If not, O let us come now, just as we are, with all our sinfulness, submit our hearts fully to God, lay hold of his promises by faith, receive the virtue of the atoning blood of Christ, be made free from sin and condemnation, that our feet may be established on the rock Christ Jesus. Yes, this is the will of God, even our sanctification; and shall we not enjoy all there is for us to enjoy, not only because it is our privilege to enjoy it, but because it is our duty to be wholly consecrated to God? Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. O let us arise, put on the whole armor of God, enjoy a full and present salvation, dwell in God and God will dwell in us, that we may daily hold communion with him. Depend not on your works; if you do, you will lean on a broken staff. It is by the exercise of faith that salvation comes, and by constant, living faith it is retained.
Why do we not hear more from those that enjoy full salvation? O that God would inspire your hearts to write, for we may all be mutually benefitted by the interchanging of our thoughts.
Brethren and sisters, remember me in your prayers, that while passing through the furnace of affliction my faith may hold out to the end, that being tried I may be made pure, and finally meet you all in the city of our God.
S. C. WELLCOME.
Almond, Wis.