AND STILL THEY COME by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 6, 1862

AND STILL THEY COME.

By Editor

BELOW we give a sweet, good letter from Bro. Stiles, of Portland, Me. It is cheering to see those who have erred from the truth coming back frankly, and joining the ranks again. The present is a searching, shaking time; and while many are being shaken off, the honest in heart, who have erred from the way, are hasting into the ranks with a firm purpose, as though they meant to stay. It is high time that all those who have been moved out by the third message were rooted and grounded in the truth, and growing up in Christ. God save the erring, and bring them to the fold again.

ED.

DEAR BROTHER: Again I find a little time to write a few lines; and perhaps finish what I began last month. And by the way I wish to say to you that I feel very sad, and sometimes very much ashamed, when I think of many things in my past experience; and my only hope is in the forgiveness of God and the brethren. I now see and realize that your past course with me has been a wise one; for when I thought I was something when I was nothing, and desired to appear in the columns of the Review against the Sabbath, you withheld my communications, for which I now sincerely and most heartily thank you.

I am satisfied God is, and has been, in the Sabbath movement, and that he will not leave it, nor those whom he has chosen in it from the beginning, to favor or build up some secession movement outside of it, who are fighting the truth. Those constituting the element among the remnant who have ever been tending to extremes, have felt very sure in their fanatical course, and the adversary would gladly have had more follow their lead. But this must never be, for God will never suffer it, further than to cure some, and manifest others in their true light. For there must needs be heresies among us, that they which are approved of God may be made manifest.

I have been greatly blessed of God since my return to the Sabbath, with my family; and I never feel such deep affection for you and sister W., as when the Spirit of the Lord is with me, and upon me; and I may as well say it first as last, that I am with you in your systematic and orderly course, and I believe that God also is with you to the end, if faithful. Tell Bro. Waggoner that I release him forever from reviewing anything I have written against the Sabbath. And what shall I say to our dear Bro. Andrews, to whom I have written in such a vaunting style? I assure you, and him too, that I feel very much ashamed when I recall to mind what I have written, which, although much of it was true, yet it was truth arrayed against truth, unintentionally on my part. I would rejoice to see him, or any of his co-workers, this way; for although I never saw him, yet I know he is a dear brother, and I love him for his works and labor in the Lord, which will not be in vain.

My dear wife often expresses a desire to see Bro. Loughborough this way once more. She is also with us on the Sabbath again, heart and hand. If you and sister W. should come this way again, I think none would rejoice more to see you, or receive you into their house than ourselves. Hereafter I think you will find us fighting in the ranks of the royal army, for the union and the royal law.

EDWIN C. STILES.

Portland, Me., April 20, 1862.