Bro. Smith: We are striving to be overcomers through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We have meetings every Sabbath in the Christian church in Princeville. There is a good interest manifested with the Sabbath-keepers to keep up the meetings, but still we labor under embarrassing circumstances. We are not allowed to invite Advent preachers to preach in the church; and, in fact, the church is not free for any of us, unless we signify a determination to remain on what they call the Christian platform. But I say, let us worship God in the open air, or anywhere, where we can have freedom of conscience. The Saviour suffered without the gate. Let us go forth, therefore, unto him without the camp bearing his reproach; for here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Heb. xiii, 13, 14. Blessed be the Lord! If we suffer with him we shall also be glorified together.
Dear brethren and sisters, we will not murmur if we are driven from churches, school-houses, and even our own homes, when we know our Redeemer has suffered and died, even the death of the cross, that we might have eternal life through faith and obedience. Some seem to think that there never will be a church united on the great truths of God's word. Do such think the prayer of our Saviour in vain? "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee; holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are one." John xvii, 11. "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them which shall believe on me through their word, that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me and I in thee, they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." Verses 20, 21. Shall we act in harmony with this prayer?
Again, "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul." Acts iv, 32. Here is one more testimony. "Now I besexch you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same things, and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment." 1 Cor. i, 10. Here is testimony to show conclusively that the true church should be united. We should look well to this subject.
What has brought about the spiritual downfall of the Protestant world? Is it not for the want of union on the great truths of God's word? Most certainly. Confusion is one of the characteristics of Babylon. There is but one way by which we may become united and perfectly joined together on the great truths of God's word, and that is to put the old man entirely away with his deeds, and sink into the will of God, and be led by his Spirit, which will not lead us to all the points of the compass, but will lead us and cement us together in one. We should be careful how we reject the manifestations of the Spirit, if it comes in harmony with the word. Rather should we lift up our voices with the apostles [Acts iv, 24-31], that God would restore to us again the gifts of the church, which we by stubborn unbelief have lost.
But says one, these gifts were for the setting up of the gospel, and consequently we have no need of them. Well, if you can prove to me that you have no need of eyes, arms or hands, and also that the body is perfect without these members, then I will admit that we have no need of the gifts of the church. 1 Cor. xiii. The gifts are not confined to the setting up of the gospel; for Paul to the Ephesians [chap. iv, 12], in speaking of the gifts, says they are for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftsmen whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Let us believe that God is as ready to give us his Spirit as he was in the days of the apostles. The watchmen of God's remnant church will lift up their voice, and see eye to eye. They are to have the testimony of Jesus Christ [Rev. xii, 17], which is the Spirit of prophecy. Chap. xix, 10.
There are some thirty Sabbath-keepers in this county. I think there might be a church of twenty members organized here in Princeville. I hope to be found in the remnant church in the day when the nations are angry, and the wrath of God is come. We shall then be safely sheltered under the shadow of his wings, while the wicked nations will be dashed in pieces. O sinner, flee to him who died for you, for protection in that day. No longer transgress the law of God. No longer trample the holy Sabbath under foot, but walk with the remnant to mount Zion.
Henry C. Blanchard.
Princeville, Peoria Co., Ills.
P. S. We would be glad to have any of the brethren call on us.