Extracts from Letters

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 10, 1860

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. S. Treat writes from Searsport, Me.: “For the encouragement of the little flock scattered abroad, I would say, the Lord is good, blessed be his holy name forevermore. I am not yet tired of the way, though it costs many a struggle to pursue it. I feel that by the grace of God I have gained some victory over my evil propensities, and the way looks brighter. I think I believe without a doubt that we are living under the sound of the last message of mercy that will ever be offered to this guilty world. If so, O how important that we all awake to duty and gird on the whole armor, and fight manfully the battle of the Lord; and in order to obtain victory in pursuing this warfare, we must cut loose from the world, and possess our souls in patience, and constantly keep a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. Our weapons of warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; praise the Lord!”

“Although I have gained some victories, I do not find myself entire, wanting nothing. I find that when I would do good, evil is present with me. It is exceedingly hard for me to control my thoughts, and bring them under subjection to the will of God; but by the help of the Lord, I mean to keep struggling for entire victory, and to this end I humbly ask the prayers of all God's saints. For, says Paul, if ye live after the flesh ye shall die, but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom. viii, 13, 14. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; but if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John i, 6-9.”

“The Lord help me to keep all the commandments of God and the sayings of Jesus, and then I hope, with all the saints, to be permitted to enter in through the pearly gates into the city of the New Jerusalem to go no more out forever, and to share in that inheritance which was promised to Abraham and his seed after him, for an everlasting possession. O glorious promise!”

“If this should meet the eye of any impenitent sinner, be invited by one that loves your soul, to come and go with us, and we will do you good; for God has spoken good concerning Israel.”