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ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM FAITHFUL WORKERS

DEAR BROTHER:—Enclosed you will find check to be placed to the credit of the Church of Boston. We are all out of “Do You Know” tracts. There is a great interest among the brethren here to spread the glad tidings, and we find use for lots of printed matter. We generally meet the people coming out of meetings.

Enclosed find clipping. How true it is that these “powers” shall be rolled together as a scroll. (Isa. 34:4.) Our hearts should be continually at the throne of grace, knowing just where we stand; and God grant it may be our privilege to help with our dear Head to bring all things to a condition of peace.

Yours in Christ, A. SIMPSON.

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MY DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER RUSSELL:—Though never have we met (and perhaps never shall we) in this life, yet for the last eight or nine years my spirit has been oft refreshed from yours. At the first reading of The Plan of the Ages I was interested, impressed, converted. Before that my soul had been wandering and searching and longing for the pure waters, in a wilderness of theologies, theories, philosophies and fictions—groping after the “unknown God.”

You have known something of the development of my thought in the later years by kindly exchanging your publications for mine—The Grand Army Advocate; and though it is a secular paper, yet never has a number left me without bearing a word for the King. Meekly and humbly, I trust, have these gone forth from my hand, and the purpose has been to stir up thought and direct the seeing eye toward the “old paths;” how far successfully I do not know—God knoweth.

And now I am full of thankfulness and praise to our Father for the new light which in these last times hath been shed abroad eminently through your ministry. The truth which makes and keeps you free has graciously gone forth in freedom to many a searching soul, and its work, mayhap, is only yet commencing.

I have just read your last Old Theology Quarterly. Its compact scope and perfect impartiality are marvelous. I can wish that every thoughtful mind might read it. Of course, however, conviction of truth comes only through the ministration of the spirit of truth; and ears must be opened or they cannot hear.

We have here, under the faithful teachings of Brother Page, a little band. The dear Lord is in our midst when only two or three meet together; but generally there are more, and I am sure that enlargement of thought and research in Scriptural matters are rapidly opening up the gates that the King of glory may come in.

And now, dear Brother and Sister, that the cry goes loudly up to you, “Watchman, what of the night?” may the Lord God of Hosts sustain you and keep you faithful unto the end.

Sincerely yours in Christ, J. F. BISHOP.

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— October 1, 1895 —