DEAR BRO. WHITE: I write a few lines to let you know that we are growing stronger and stronger in the present truth, and are endeavoring "to walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord's house blameless." Although we are separated from those of "like precious faith," yet the Lord remembereth us, and verifies his promise, that where two or three are gathered in his name there is he in the midst. His down-trodden commandments are very precious to us, and we find it good to obey the Lord and call upon his name.
Our dear Bro. Wheeler visited us recently, and we had a profitable interview. Though short, yet it was blessed of the Lord.
Since I attended the meeting at Royalton I have enjoyed my mind far better than before. O, praise the Lord, the true light is shining, and I desire to receive the light, and walk in it, and be sanctified through obeying the truth, so as to perfectly overcome every wrong word and action.
The paper is a great comfort to us, and we truly feel that it is "meat in due season." I would ask an interest in your prayers that we may be faithful, and endure even unto the end.
Yours in hope of immortality at the appearing of Jesus. CALISTA M. COBURN.
Rochester, (Vt.), Dec. 27th, 1851.
Extracts of Letters.
By Editor
Bro. H. Bingham writes from Morristown, (Vt.), Dec. 21st, 1851: "Through the mercy of God I enjoy a good hope, that through the offering of our blessed Saviour, I shall be permitted to receive life eternal in the restored kingdom.
"I believe the little band in this place have a good share of the spirit of sacrifice, and are steadfast in their purpose to honor God's Royal Law, by observing its just and rightful claims, and try to exercise living active faith in a coming Saviour.
"Here and there is found one with an enquiring mind for truth; but the multitude entirely reject the present truth, and choose some favorite fable to follow.
"May the Lord save all the honest ones from destruction, is the prayer of your unworthy yet hoping brother."
Bro. J. Y. Wilcox writes from Cromwell, (Conn.), Dec. 23d, 1851: "I take the present opportunity to inform you that through the abundant goodness of God, I am trying to hold fast the truth.
"I can say as said Moses, that he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God . . . esteeming the reproach of Christ to be greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. Truly the feelings of my heart are expressed in these few lines."
Sister L. B. Kendall writes from Granville, (Vt.), Dec. 1851: "I feel lonely in this dark world, and long for a brighter and better land, where the curse is forever removed. I long for the redemption of the purchased possession, where, with all the little flock, who have been willing to suffer for the sake of Jesus, I may be gathered to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
"My heart is with the humble few, who are striving to keep the commandments of God, and my desire is to share in their joys and sorrows, their trials and sufferings, and at last share in their certain victory.
"I feel thankful that I have ever heard the present truth, and O, that it may have its sanctifying effect on my heart, to fit me to stand in the day of battle.
"We need to be very humble in view of the mercy of God toward us. O, that the work of the Lord may go on, till all the precious jewels are sought out and fitted for the "second casket." My heart truly feels for those that have been scattered in the "dark and cloudy day." While there has been so much to distract and divide I wonder not that many have been covered under the rubbish of the world; but the Lord knows every honest soul, and he will seek them out."
Bro. H. P. Wakefield writes from Newport, (N. H.), Dec. 30th, 1851: "We cannot do without your paper. We believe the subject matter directly adapted to the wants of the household! In these days of degeneracy, we certainly need something to cheer us on our lone pilgrimage to the Holy City. The third angel's message was just what we needed to define our first position, and give us a bright and shining light to lead us onward to the kingdom of God. God's people are now being tried; but O, if they endure the trial, they will soon see Him who is invisible. Glory to his holy name.
"Brn. Baker and Hart were with us a short time since. We were glad to see them, but rejoiced still more to know they were walking in the truth. We praise God for union. If ever the servants of God should be united, it is in proclaiming these last glorious truths. Union is strength.
"Heaven is worth seeking, yea striving for. We are willing to bear the reproach, if we can share the reward with those that stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb. If we can but have the approving smiles of Jesus it is worth more than all the honors of the world. We had rather, by far, be a door keeper in the house of God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness. We want to keep all the commandments, that we may stand in the battle of the great day of God Almighty. May the Lord guide us in the truth, and we at last share in his kingdom."
Bro. S. W. Rhodes writes from Lawrence, (N. Y.), Dec. 28th, 1851: "I find a few who are waiting for redemption, and who know the joyful sound, and are willing to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.
"Salvation is coming. O, how my soul is filled with joy while I write. I have by faith a faint glimpse of the power of the latter rain, which lights up the sacred spark of holy joy in my soul, and gives me a foretaste of that which I love most, salvation. "Salvation is for us, full and free, and we shall reap an abundant harvest if obedient to him who has called us to grace and glory. Be of good cheer, for Christ has overcome the world, and he will lead his army on to sure victory."
DREAMS.
By Editor
It becomes our duty to speak plainly against the course pursued by some relative to dreams. That God has in all past time revealed to his people in dreams we fully believe. And that he is to especially instruct the ignorant and erring through this medium in the last days is evident from Joel ii, 28-32; Acts ii, 17-21. But we do object to the course of some in relating all their dreams as special revelations from the Lord, as a rule of duty for themselves or others to walk by. We consider such in the snare of the devil, exposed to his deceptive power.
"Now the just shall live by FAITH;" but he that undertakes to walk by the light of dreams will sooner or later, stumble and fall. The Bible is a complete rule of faith and practice, a sure guide from earth to heaven. In that precious Volume the man of God is thoroughly furnished, and those who look for another guide will surely be led astray. But if we, while walking by faith, taking the Bible as our guide, praying for the Spirit of truth to enlighten our understandings, honestly err from truth or duty, and are in danger of being lost, then we may hope that God in mercy will do more for us than the common means of grace are designed to do. Our extreme necessity may move the High and Holy One to send an angel to especially reveal to us.
But he who supposes that his general course may be marked out by dreams, and that in this way the particulars of his duty should be revealed, not only exposes himself to be perplexed by those dreams that come "through the multitude of business," [Eccl. v, 3.] but also to be deceived, and ruined by dreams directly from satan. See Deut. xiii, 1-5; Jer. xxiii, 23-28; xxvii, 9; xxix, 8; Zech. x, 2; Jude, 8. Man's extreme necessity alone, being in great danger of ruin, is God's opportunity to give special revelations.
The following may be a rebuke to those who are forward to relate the multitude of their dreams, as revelation from God.
Says the prophet. "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools; for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. For a dream cometh through a multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words." Eccl. v, 1-3.
The following from Ecclesiasticus xxxiv, 1-8, is to the point.
"The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false; and dreams lift up fools. Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind. The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face. Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come? Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain; and the heart fancieth, as a woman's heart in travail. If they be not sent from the Most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them. For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that PUT THEIR TRUST in them.
THE LAW shall be found PERFECT WITHOUT LIES; and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth." Eccl. xxxiv, 1-8.
"The prophet that hath a dream let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the CHAFF to the WHEAT? saith the Lord." Jer. xxiii, 28.
God's word is a solid rock. On that Word alone, our faith is based. And we exhort the scattered brethren to take the Word as the only rule of faith and duty. The Lord may give dreams to comfort the individuals who have them, when in distress or to correct the erring; but when they are compared with the word of God they are like the "CHAFF" to the "WHEAT."
The above is the position of the church at Oswego, (N. Y.).
G. W. HOLT.
JAMES WHITE.
Letters received since December 23d.
By Editor
S. W. Rhodes 3. M. L. Bauder 2, H. S. Gurney. E. L. H. Chamberlain, E. Cray, J. G. Foy. G. W. Holt. C. M. Lockwood. R. F. Cottrell, H. O. Nichols. E. Foster. J. A. King, L. O. Stowell, C. M. Cohurn. C. W. Sperry. M. Leadbeater, D. D. Cocoran, J. Bates. J. S. Speights. N. N. Lunt, H. P. Wakefield, W. G. Kendall. L. B. Kendall, O. H. Curtiss N. A. Hollis, A. A. Dodge, H. Royal.
Receipts.
C. Smith $10; J. Y. Wilcox, H. Bingham, $5 each; N. Mack, $4; H. Chase, J. Fitch, $2.50 each; A. Woodruff $2; D. Kellogg, H. Dunning, G. Cushman, H. S. Gurney, O. Davis, W. Bryant, E. Hardy, D. Wakefield, E. Flanders, O. Hewett, W. W. Simpkins, H. C. Robbins, H. Abbe, E. Scoville, $1 each.
Conference at Topsham
By Editor
There will be a Conference at Topsham, (Me.), at the residence of Bro. Stockbridge Howland to commence Friday Jan. 30th, at 6 o'clock P. M., and hold over the Sabbath and First-day. We hope there will be a general attendance of the brethren in that vicinity. Bro. G. W. Holt may be expected to be present. Other ministering brethren are invited to attend.
Meeting with Boston Brethren
By Editor
Bro. G. W. Holt intends meeting with the brethren in Boston, Sabbath, Jan. 24th.