THE CAUSE IN BERLIN, WIS.
By A. TABER
BRO. SMITH: For the encouragement of the scattered flock, I would say that a few of us here are striving for the kingdom by keeping the commandments of God and trying to obtain the true faith. We meet twice a week for prayer, and, by the blessing of God, renew our strength. We have been much encouraged by a visit from Bro. Allen, who was with us three weeks, and gave a course of lectures on the prophecies, which had the effect to bring some into the truth. Three were baptized at the close of the meeting, which make five this season in this place. The meetings were held in the Seventh-day Baptist house, and for a while there was a good degree of union, but when the straight truth in regard to the fallen condition of the churches was presented, many church members took offense and united to oppose the truth, thereby drawing a division line and widening the gap between the honest-hearted ones who are looking for the soon coming of their Lord, and daily trying to overcome by patience and well-doing, and those who feel at ease so long as they maintain a good standing in the church. It appears to me that the time is near at hand when the harvest will be fully ripe, when the tares will be bound in bundles preparatory to a final destruction, while the wheat will be gathered into the barn. In fact, it seems that nominal professors are anticipating the work of the gathering angel by binding themselves into bundles to oppose truth. Brethren and sisters, let us strive to ripen into sound wheat, remembering that green stuff, although it may be called wheat, will never do to go into the barn. God will have a perfect harvest, and that which is not ripe when the gathering angels sweep the world, will be gathered among the tares. Let us daily and hourly ripen. When a wheat crop is ripening if it stops its progress for one day, it is liable to be struck with the rust which may spoil the crop. We have barely time to ripen for the kingdom, and if we lose one day, that may cause a blight which may be the means of our meeting the reapers unprepared. Yours striving to make daily progress to meet my Lord. A. TABER. Berlin, Wis., Aug. 24, 1860.