Extracts from Letters

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 12, 1861

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. R. Sawyer writes from Port Byron, N. Y.: "I am still willing to be led by the third angel's message; to follow on step by step until a character is developed which shall meet the approval of the faithful and true Witness. I can testify to a purifying and saving power in present truth. Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life, &c. John xiv, 6.

"O, let us walk in the way, be made free by the truth [John viii, 32], become sanctified wholly, and thus be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation which shall be brought at the appearing of Jesus. Let us become more united. Union is strength. We are exhorted to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might [Eph. vi, 10-18], not looking to one another for a pattern, but unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith [Heb. xii, 2], and thus become of that number that shall overcome and sit with Jesus on his throne. Rev. iii, 21. Remember me in your prayers that I may with you say in the language of the prophet, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him and he will save us."

Bro. W. Allen writes from Princesville, Ills.: "I have have just returned from a short, but very tedious journey. I crossed the Illinois river at Chillicothe, and traveled an easterly course about thirty miles. I made it my business, as usual when among strangers, to inquire if they were getting ready for the coming of the Saviour, referring to the signs of the times, &c. With many it seemed to be very strange doctrine, and yet interesting. They said they had never heard of an Advent preacher on the east side of the river. I had obtained a few of your books, which they readily purchased of me. One man sends for the Review."

Sister N. Davis writes from Ayersville, Ohio: "I feel like pressing onward and upward toward the mark of our high calling, having my face set Zionward with a firm hold on the anchor of hope, which is sure and steadfast, and entereth to that within the vail, whither Christ has for us entered. Although we may be called to pass through the furnace of affliction, we have an High Priest who can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, and will if we are faithful bring us off more than conquerors, and place upon our brows the glorious starry crown of victory."

Bro. S. B. Whitney writes from Malone, N. Y.: "I am much encouraged and strengthened by the cheering reports from the west, but still I sometimes almost fear that I shall be overcome, and finally fail of the kingdom; yet my purpose is to keep striving, and not sink down in despair. The prospect is not very cheering in this section, yet the church are still holding on, feel assured that the promises are yea and amen to those that believe."

Bro. Wm. Herald writes from Green Spring, Ohio: "We have been striving to arise and come up to the help of the Lord; and bless his holy name, we have had a refreshing season. For the last two weeks we have had prayer-meetings every night, with one or two exceptions; and, blessed be God, we have had a season of rejoicing. The Lord has poured out his Spirit upon us, and every soul has been encouraged to persevere. We have also been led to rejoice in the addition of three more precious souls to our number, and we still hope by the grace of God, an upright walk and godly conversation, to bring others to the knowledge of the truth."

Bro. A. G. Hart writes from St. Cloud, Min.: "I desire to say to my brethren through the Review that my P. O. address is St. Cloud, Minnesota. I am still trying to overcome. I want to go through to the kingdom. I want the church to pray for me that I may live in such a way that my light may shine all around. I would say to the brethren in Minnesota that I shall put in my mite to help on the cause this summer."

Sister N. J. Babcock writes from Spring Grove, Wis.: "I would bear my testimony in favor of the truth. It has been about two years and a half since I commenced to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I feel like still pressing on toward heaven. When I think of the goodness of God to me, his love in sending his Son to die that we might live, I am led to exclaim, How good he has been to me! Let us put our trust in God and his word. Let us try and prove faithful, soon Jesus will come and take us home to the city of God. There will be no sorrow. There sin and temptation and death will never enter, but the weary will be at rest. Oh how I long to be there! I was but fourteen when I commenced to keep the commandments of God, and I am not sorry that I started when I did. I mean by the assisting grace of God to prove faithful."