COMMUNICATION FROM BRO. CARVER.
By H. E. Carver
DEAR BRO. WHITE : In behalf of the brethren and sisters in this vicinity I wish to give this public expression of our gratitude to our Father in heaven for the rich feast of heavenly things we have recently enjoyed from his bountiful hand. Some three weeks ago the Lord put it into the hearts of about twenty brethren and sisters from Richmond, Dayton and vicinity, to visit us in our loneliness; and truly it was a welcome visit to us, for we were all made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We had no regular preaching, but the Lord gave liberty in bearing testimony in behalf of present truth, in which all, or nearly all, participated. Our cup of joy was filled to overflowing by the rich blessing of God, the memory of which is yet sweet to my soul. Praise God! that in the midst of all the cares of life, its temptations, distress and afflictions, as well as the troubles that now afflict our once happy land, the child of God that loves his law and keeps all his commandments, has a sure source of refuge, and one that will never fail, even the blood-bought mercy-seat. Again I say, Praise God! We had a precious and solemn time in uniting to commemorate the sufferings and death of him who came, and, by his death, not only opened up a way whereby repenting sinners might be saved, but also magnified and made honorable that holy, just and pure law that is now guarded by the heavenly cherubim who hover over the mercy-seat and ark, before which our great High Priest officiates in heaven in our behalf. We also enjoyed the privilege of following the example and obeying the precept of our Lord in washing one another's feet; and we proved to ourselves how happy it makes a child of God to do what Jesus commands, and to do it for the reason that we love him who gives the command, "If ye love me keep my commandments." We were also encouraged by the expressed decision of one more soul to walk with the commandment-keepers. May God give strength, and courage, and wisdom to that dear brother to persevere to the end of the race, is my prayer. We are also encouraged to hope that the seeds of present truth that seem to have lodged in another investigating and honest mind were so watered by the influence of the good Spirit that fruit will be borne to the honor and glory of God. In conclusion I would say that last Sabbath four of us enjoyed another precious privilege in meeting with the church at Richmond. Satan at first tried to deprive us of a blessing, but the Spirit of God gave us the victory; and the dark influence of our enemy was scattered to the winds, and we had a precious season in waiting on the Lord. To God be all the praise! And now, brethren and sisters, those who know me and those who do not, I want you to pray for me. By the removal of Bro. and sister Curtis I shall soon be left almost alone in this region, there being no brother within twelve or fifteen miles to counsel with. I feel very weak, having no strength of my own; yet I know where there is strength, blessed be God! and for that reason I want the prayers of the remnant. When I commenced, three years ago, to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, I made it my aim to glorify God in so doing, and I can say that this is still my aim. I love the law of my God, and feel no inclination to violate in letter or spirit one of those holy precepts, and for this I feel truly thankful to God. But, my brethren, the weakest child of God exerts some influence in the community around, and how careful we should be that that influence should be such as God can approve and bless. It is not enough that we merely save our own souls. We are placed here as beacon-lights to direct the sons of earth to the haven of rest. A glorious privilege, surely! but accompanied with great responsibility. Where there are a number of believers in a community, this responsibility is to some extent diffused, and strength can be gained by counsel; but not so with the lonely ones who have taken hold on the Lord's covenant. The attention of the community is directed to that one; and all his or her actions, and words, and manners, are closely watched. It is in view of this fact that I ask all the church to pray not only for me, but for all the lonely ones, that we may walk in all the counsel of the Lord blameless; that we may indeed be as lights in the world, and not as stumbling-blocks in the way of the wicked. Pray that God may give us a quick, discerning eye, that we may see the path of the just through this wilderness of sin and sorrow, and have grace and strength given to walk therein, cheered on by the assurance that if we are faithful to him who hath chosen us, we shall at last have a home in the glorious, everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hoping and expecting to have my portion with all the saints of God through the redemption that is in Jesus our Lord, I remain Your brother in the love of present truth.
H. E. CARVER.
Iowa City, Iowa.