E. W. SHORTRIDGE by E. W. Shortridge

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 4, 1860

E. W. SHORTRIDGE

By E. W. Shortridge

From Bro. Shortridge.

BRO. SMITH, Dear Sir : For the first time in my life I venture to write you a line to inform you of my whereabouts, faith, hope and determination. I am now a resident of Iowa, have been preaching here nearly four years.

I am a member of the "Disciple or Christian church," have been a member for 22 years, have been preaching for 11 years, and you will pardon me for saying, I have been the unworthy instrument, by which nearly 3000 souls have been gathered into our communion, having baptized nearly 2000 of that number.

About ten years ago I was led to the examination of the life and death question, and more lately to the law and Sabbath question &c. Now Bro. Smith I want to say to you, and if you see proper, to the readers of your sheet, that I cannot stand with a church claiming the largest amount of charity in reference to matters of opinion (and they tell me my views are matters of opinion), and at the same time as dictatorial as the "man of sin;" and when they fail in the investigation of any question, they will resort to all manner of slander, to try if possible to ruin a man's character, thinking to so injure his influence that he cannot do their lying system any injury. When I tell them that man is mortal, unconscious in death, that the wicked will not see life &c., they say he is a very weak brother. When I tell them that the law of God, including the keeping of the fourth commandment, is binding, they say he has fallen from grace, and has become a Jew. When I propose to meet in discussion any man in the

church and try to sustain these things, then he is a base and corrupt man, proposing to debate with his own brethren. This is the way the matter goes. In consequence of these things I have determined to turn my attention to some lawful and honorable business for the support of my family, until I can find a home, be adopted into it, and then try to gain the confidence of the brotherhood, and if I ever can succeed so as to be useful, I will try by the grace of God to preach, until which time I will by the help of God keep the commandments, and try to be prepared when the Lord comes to set up his kingdom, to be admitted as an inheritor of that rest of which I claim to be an humble heir.

As ever, your friend in hope of life,

E. W. SHORTRIDGE

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.