::R1099 : page 8::

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

A recent letter from Sister Tackabury to Sister Russell, shows that Brother Tackabury’s death-bed preaching was not without its influence for the Lord and the truth. It was his earnest desire and constant endeavor to show forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness, into his marvelous light.

DEAR SISTER RUSSELL:—I must write to you again, for it relieves my mind to talk to you, and it comforts me to read your letters.

O, how thankful I am to our Heavenly Father for such friends in this time of great affliction—brothers and sisters in the Lord. Natural ties are strong and all are very kind, and thoughtful of my sorrow, but that strong bond growing out of the ONE HOPE, is dearer to me than all earthly ties; especially now. How sweet to me the words of cheer and comfort that come from the saints. I am trying to spend much of my time in reading and study for which, of course, I have had little time for months. Indeed, for the last year Mr. Tackabury’s condition was such that neither of us could read much, and now I feel that a part of my work is to gain more strength from a more thorough study of the Word, and be the better prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in us.

Well, dear Sister, each week adds to my loneliness. As they go by I realize more and more that my earthly home is desolate; that there is no more happiness in it for me. How I thank God that the time is short. And yet I have my work to finish, and I shall no more than have time e’er my change shall come.

I have much to write to you this time, of God’s workings in this place. It really seems wonderful to me, and yet nothing is too great for Him to accomplish.

The beginning was Mr. T.’s sickness; and as people knew that we were professedly Christians, although of a peculiar sort, of course, it was Christian people who called to minister to our needs, and therefore, it was to them that Mr. T. had access, when he was able to talk, and he improved every opportunity. It also seemed usually Baptist people who came in, and we often remarked to one another that they seemed more willing to listen, and manifested more Christian spirit than any others who called. We had distributed reading matter considerably, but after Bro. Russell was here, I immediately handed out all I could, where I thought it might be read to advantage, and I found a good deal of interest among the readers upon meeting and conversing with them. They almost without exception said, they had studied the Bible of late more than ever before. When Bro. Russell was here the Baptist church in which the funeral was held was without a preacher, and had been for quite a long time. Now they have a minister, and he believes and teaches God’s Word almost identically with us. The first time he came he stopped with a near neighbor of ours who had been with us a great deal during the summer and had read Millennial Dawn. They showed it to him, and he said, “That is MY belief and I PREACH it.” And he surely does. He is a young man and very intelligent, superior in that respect to any one they have had here before. I heard him preach last Sunday morning and he talked the Millennium to them strong, and said during his discourse, that he believed he was telling them God’s truth, and if they cast him out as a heretic, he must be cast out. Of course he has adopted these views but recently, and I do not see how he can preach them to a Baptist church, unless the church becomes revolutionized, and then surely it would not be Baptist. He also gives a Bible reading every Thursday evening and I have attended them all so far. It seems wonderful to me, how these things have been brought about, and how much sound doctrine this people will endure. How the matter will terminate, time will tell. I am trying to do what I can—I strive not to allow an opportunity to go by, where I think I can do something to honor the Master—it is my meat and my drink to do His will. O, how I long for the time when the Lord Jesus will be glorified in his saints.

Pray for me that my affliction and trials may “work out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Remember me kindly to any who may inquire after me. May I not hear from you soon? Very affectionately, Your sister in Christ, MRS. S. T. TACKABURY.

—————

“Sacrifice is the test of love.”

====================

— January And February, 1889 —