LETTERS by S. C. Welcome

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 11, 1860

LETTERS.

By S. C. Welcome

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."

From Bro. Welcome.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN CHRIST: I will again address a few lines to you through the Review, realizing that it is a great privilege to have a medium through which we can address each other, and speak of the dealings of God to our souls, while scattered over this dreary earth, where we so much need each others' sympathy, counsel, and admonitions; and as I have for a few months past been deprived of the privilege of meeting with the children of God, until the last three weeks, and not having seen but one number of the Review since April, I have often been led to look back with pleasure to the happy scenes I have enjoyed with loved ones now far away. And as I remember how often my heart has been cheered by the epistles of those of like precious faith, I thought that perhaps some would be glad to hear where I am and how I am getting along. Well, I would say, I am still pressing my way on, with my eyes fixed upon the glorious city that is just ahead, striving to overcome, by the help of my heavenly Father, all the obstacles that are in my way, and persuading all that I can to go with me to the land of promise.

My health had become so poor last spring that I concluded that it would benefit me to travel a few months in Minnesota. Accordingly I left my home in Almond, Wis., the first of May, and came by the way of Portage with Bro. G. W. Perry. We spent the Sabbath with the brethren there. I also met with Bro. and Sr. Steward, as they were returning from the Mackford conference. I had not seen them for a year, and my heart was truly made glad in meeting with them, and hearing from their lips again the words of truth. And I rejoiced the more also that I found them standing in the liberty of the gospel, rejoicing in full salvation. But I had to leave them and other dear friends, with the prospect, in my feeble health, that I should never meet them again on earth. O may God bless them in their labors of love, and make them instruments in bringing many souls to Christ, and then give them an abundant entrance into his coming kingdom.

Leaving Portage I came to Goodhue Co., Minn., where I spent a few weeks with my brother, who is a physician. While there I went to Bro. Porter's neighborhood, expecting to meet Bro. Ingraham, but was disappointed, as he was holding meetings some fifteen miles from that place, and I was informed that Bro. Porter had gone to the meeting, so I did not see him. As I had made arrangements to come out West further, I could not go to the meeting.

Finding my health somewhat improved by traveling and taking some medicine, I have been over much of the State, and as this is a very pleasant and healthy place, have concluded to stop here for a while. This is one of the finest countries in the West, and were it not for the curse that is resting upon it, with all the rest of the earth, it might be called a paradise. But in associating with the inhabitants, I find that I am still on the old earth, where sin reigns predominant; and notwithstanding the beautiful face of the country, yet man has corrupted his way upon it, as in the days of Noah, and the weary pilgrim, finding nothing here to charm him, and no place to rest, sighs and looks away with longing eyes to the haven of rest, to the earth made new, where flowers far more beautiful than prairie flowers, bloom, never to decay, where the tree of life grows that yields delicious fruit, and the beautiful stream that maketh glad the city of our God.

I have had opportunities to talk with many this summer on the subject of our hope, but Oh, the darkness that hovers over the land! It is like the Egyptian darkness that can be felt. I find but a few that are looking for the coming of the Saviour, only, as they say, he comes in spirit every day; and but very few who are seeking for immortality through Christ. Many think they have eternal life now in them, and that Christ comes at death and takes their immortal, invisible souls away beyond the bounds of time and space to an imaginary heavens. Oh what a hope is this! that stands on a foundation outside of the word of God; for surely, if nothing but my immortal soul is going to heaven, I should lie down in despair, and say with the infidel, that I was taking a leap in the dark.

I find that the true doctrine of the Bible is rejected by the mass of professed Christians, and the Bible is but a book of fables, meaning what it does not say; and they call all that believe that a man is a soul the most dangerous infidels in the world. I find many too that contend for gospel faith, as they call it, without a law, except the law of faith, that the gospel is a command, &c. And because we believe that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, only to such as believe in him, and that a man that has true gospel faith must and will walk in obedience to all God's commandments, they tell us we are under the old Jewish law. O may God pity the poor benighted ones who have been led astray by false teachers.

When I arrived at this place I found Bro. Rew's family formerly of Ripon, Wis., and a sister Burgess formerly of Lynn, Mass., keeping God's holy day. We had a prayer-meeting appointed three weeks ago on the Sabbath, and although there are but few of us, our meetings are very interesting; for the Lord meets with us to bless, and we expect to see the salvation of God in this place. There is no other prayer-meeting in the place although there are about two hundred inhabitants and many of them professors. They have preaching here, every Sunday, two and three meetings in the day. Baptists, Methodists, Campbellites and Universalists. The people turn out well, and are starving for the bread of life. Many say they want to hear an Adventist. I think the truth would be received by many if it could be preached. The Sabbath question is being agitated in the Bible-class, and I think is doing good.

I had some books with me that I have distributed, and am striving to give all the light I can, God's grace assisting me. Cannot Bro. Ingraham come here with the tent? We are twelve miles from Mankato and thirty from Cleveland. I wrote to Bro. Porter at Milton, to get him to come, but fear he did not get my letter. If Bro. Ingraham can come, we will do the best we can for him, and I think he can do much good. May the Lord direct in this matter, and if he can come, I should like to have him write me.

Brethren and sisters, pray for us, that the Lord may work among us in mighty power, that the truth may flourish in this western country.

Your brother in Christ.

S. C. WELCOME.

Garden City, Blue Earth Co., Minn., Aug. 24, 1860.