REPORT FROM BRO. SNOOK.
By B. F. Snook
I LEFT home on Thursday, Jan. 2, en route for Richmond, and arrived there just before the Sabbath. I was much rejoiced on being informed that Bro. Shortridge was preaching there for the brethren, and had been for nearly a week. The brethren were all happy and rejoicing on account of the good meetings they had enjoyed with Bro. S. I preached one discourse on Sabbath, and the evening following we met for organization. We began this very solemn and important work in the name of the Lord. Several difficulties were cleared up, and unity restored. The church en masse, with two exceptions, came into the organization,85and all seemed to feel the great importance of the work. The church there is now in good order, and I hope will get better all the time. We were made to mourn to learn that Satan had secretly crept in among some of the brethren and sisters, and had his work not been arrested, the church would have soon been destroyed. Let all take warning. Bolt every door. Lay up every bar, or Satan will come in. I hope that all may watch, be devoted and prayerful. If so, I am certain Satan will not enter. We next went to Millersburg. We met with the brethren after the debate, and Bro. Shortridge preached to them three times. They were greatly encouraged, but are not yet ready for organization. Some are too much joined to their idols—tobacco, &c. We pray that they may have grace to leave off this ungodly, self-polluting, and dirty habit. It is beneath the dignity of a true Christian, and no man can be a Christian and use it after he sees the light. I have just as much fellowship for the man who is drunk with whisky, as for him who is drunk with tobacco. Let us have more of the good Spirit of God, and less tobacco, &c. Brethren, which shall rule us, the gifts of God's Spirit, or tobacco, and other Satanic lusts. As for me and my house, we prefer to follow God's blessed Spirit, and leave tobacco and its inveterate users to enjoy themselves in the bogs of iniquity where fiends of darkness love to dwell. I long for the time to come when the remnant shall arise and walk on high and holy ground, and live in close communion with God and one another. May we all enjoy much of God's good Spirit, and rise with the last great and glorious message till Jesus comes. Amen.