Analecta Epistolaria.
PLEASANT WORDS.
“The words of the pure are pleasant words.”
Dear Sir: —For the last three or four years I have taken two copies of the Herald, and must continue to do so, until you are better sustained in your efforts to enlighten a benighted world. Had I the pecuniary resources of some, I would contribute annually a hundred times five dollars, in order to hold up your hands in the prosecution of the truly arduous enterprise your life is devoted to. But at this time, the ability falls far short of the inclination. In christian love,
I remain yours truly,
EZEKIEL S. TALLEY, M.D.
HANOVER, VA., January, 1853.
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A DIFFICULTY.
Respected Sir: —Will you say a few words in your very interesting Herald, on the following points: —A friend of mine has been very much annoyed during the past year by not obtaining his papers at all till October. Another has been in the same circumstances nearly. Another and another are similarly situated; so that the consequence has been, that many who would otherwise have subscribed for the next volume, have delayed, not knowing what to do. Now, could you not once for all correct this difficulty by sending your paper to one agent in Britain, who would cheerfully attend to this labour of love? By doing this, or something tantamount to it, you will do a very great service to many of your friends here, who are grieved to see things so badly managed.
I have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the extreme satisfaction your Herald has generally given. That it is always read with the greatest avidity, is saying the least; for it is insensibly, but distinctly, acquiring an influence over the minds of all with whom I have come in contact, who read it.
Your affectionate friend, for the truth’s sake,
GAVIN GREENLEES.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, November 25, 1853.
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THE REMEDY.
The portion of our friend’s letter not published, is under consideration. No one can regret the difficulty complained of more than we. The cause of it may be found in part, in the numbers indicated being directed to 35 Miller Street, and, in the absence of our friend there, being refused, because of a surcharge. If those who wished the Herald for 1853, had sent their names and addresses, distinctly and precisely written, with payment in advance, by order on the Dock-Head Post-office, to Richard Robertson, Esq., 89 Grange Road, Bermondsey, Surrey, England, they would get their numbers as regularly as clock-work. This is a better plan than sending a bundle to one person for distribution con amore. Mr. Robertson, who was till lately Secretary to the Custom-House in London, is of necessity an excellent fiscal, having been habituated to the methodical exactness of that establishment besides being a personal friend, and interested in the kingdom of God. If our Glasgow friends, and all others, will attend to these instructions, and the notices they will find occasionally on the cover of the Herald, they will have no reason to complain. There is one other thing must be attended to to keep things straight—and that is, if a subscriber change his residence, he must inform his letter-carrier, and let Mr. Robertson know likewise, being careful to prepay the letter.
We do not send the numbers of a new volume to Britain and the Provinces, until expressly ordered, and paid for in advance. The reason of this is, that we have to prepay to those who did not intend to continue subscribers, by which we should lose both the paper and the postage, which we cannot afford to do.
The letters we receive from the four winds (of which we publish only a specimen from time to time, that each isolated subscriber may know what other friends think of our teaching as well as he) encourage us considerably. The great truths advocated in the Herald must tell upon the consciences of all “honest and good hearts” that are interested to know what they must believe and do for acceptance when they shall appear in the presence of the Great King. We have been subject to much discouragement for many years, but the dawning of a better day appears in our horizon, which, we trust, is the aurora of the truth’s vindication and triumph over all its foes. Our friend Greenlees’ testimony will not be lost on his well-wisher, the EDITOR.
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SCRIPTURE-INVESTIGATION MEETING.
It has been found necessary to change somewhat the constitution of the Scripture-Investigation meeting. It did not work well. On the first night, men, with crotchets in their heads, attended to deliver themselves of their conceptions, and to dispute. They could not speak to the subject, nor be kept to the point. One who figured in Glasgow while I was there, who, I believe, calls himself the gospel trumpeter, was there, with a tin trumpet suspended from his neck. He spoke, also, of a companion of his. They occupied time, but yielded no light. Others spoke, but when all was said, the first chapter of Genesis, the subject-matter of the evening, was left exegetically untouched. It is, therefore, clear that the general public is too ignorant to work out any profitable investigation for itself. It is necessary for one to teach it, which be the oracles of God. We have, therefore, taken this business into our own hands. The brethren consequently meet for preliminary evening worship, and when that is done, I proceed to the exposition of Moses and the Prophets, in the order suggested by the subjects concurrent in the things pertaining to the foundation of the world; after which, if there be time, persons present are at liberty to put questions, for information, or for the removal of any difficulties not supposed to be met in the exposition. This has been found to work better. The audience increases, and from the attention paid, in coming out to hear in the worst of weather, it is manifest that the interest is augmenting and abiding; and we trust that fruit will appear to eternal life from “the word of the kingdom” sown.
EDITOR.
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OUR PEN’S USEFULNESS.
Dear Sir: —Through the kindness of my neighbours, I have been favoured with your Herald and Elpis Israel, which have greatly increased my desire to know “the truth as it is in Jesus.”
In these parts the truth has to gain its way by inches. But notwithstanding all the opposition springing from tradition and bigotry, your book and paper are doing a work here that will speak for itself when the future King of nations shall appear. I am desirous to see the Herald continued; for it was the first document that opened my eyes to see my true condition; and I am persuaded there are thousands in society who are infidels, because they are too honest to be hypocrites, and too well informed to be sectarians.
Sectarianism, witchcraft, and every other evil influence, surround us here on every side; so that it will be impossible for any poor wanderer ever to gain admission to the kingdom, unless he can be assisted to a thorough knowledge of the word of God, which is the only thing that can gird up the loins of the mind to a successful resistance of temptation.
I enclose you five dollars out of my scanty means, for which send me Elpis Israel, and the Herald for ’53. Meanwhile I hope, and shall endeavour to be able to do something more soon for the sake of the gospel cause.
In hope of coming to the knowledge of the truth, I remain yours,
Ogle Co., Illinois. ENOS JACOBS.
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Dear Sir: —I feel that I am discharging a pleasing duty in adding my testimony to the many you receive of the value of Elpis Israel and the Herald. They have indeed been a source of much pleasure to me; and what is of very much more importance, they have presented God and the Bible in such a light that I can have perfect confidence in both—a consummation for many a day devoutly wished for; but previous to my acquaintance with your writings, enjoyed but in a very limited degree.
These sentiments are those also of others here, who read my copy of the Herald; the name of one of whom I now send you, and another will probably soon follow.
Many thanks to you, then, dear brother, for your invaluable labours; and may the sovereign whom you serve strengthen you to continue the combat with ignorance, superstition, and bigotry, lay and clerical, and substitute in their place “the light of the glorious gospel,” is the sincere desire of yours in the “One Hope of the calling.”
DAVID WRIGHT.
Coburg, Canada West, December 1852.
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Dear Brother: —Enclosed you will find five dollars. The three dollars over my subscription for the current volume, is a poor man’s ungrudging donation towards the support of your highly instructive and valuable periodical. It is willingly given, seeing that your readers are more indebted to you than they are able to pay. Please accept it for knowledge of the truth acquired by aid of your writings. Nevertheless, all the praise be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord, and not to mortal man. This truth has led me to be immersed by brother William Lemmon, of Baltimore. It transferred me from a foundation of sand to one of rock—to the Rock; and led me to embrace the hope that entereth within the veil ere long to be removed. Then shall we see what at present doth not appear.
Yours in hope of Israel’s return, and the restoration of the kingdom again to them,
JACOB B. ROHRER.
Beaver Creek, Washington, Maryland,
February, 1852.
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THE GOSPEL GLORIFIED.
Dear Brother: —By the request of bro. Fisher, I enclose you his subscription fee for the current volume of the Herald, with his best christian regards. He desired me to say to you also, that when you may find a leisure moment he would be glad to see your views of 1 Corinthians 3: 15.
Bro. F. is an earnest advocate of “the Gospel of the Kingdom,” and is very desirous with myself to form a nucleus around which may be gathered some faithful followers of the Lord. He came to my house in December last, and required immersion at my hands. He seemed to have a clear understanding of the gospel. Cold as was the season, and without a house in which to change our clothes, we repaired to the Rappahannock river, where I immersed him in the presence of some five or six persons who happened to come up at the time. His conscience is now at ease; and though, as he says, he expects that his earthly career will be short, he rejoices in the hope of the reward promised upon the belief and obedience of the gospel, followed by a patient continuance in well-doing. Oh, could the people be persuaded to learn of Jesus—to understand his gospel! But I am grieved, yea, deeply grieved, when I attempt to “reason out of the scriptures” with my connections in the flesh, with whom I should be so much delighted to be associated as the adopted of the Lord, to see them turn away from the plain declarations of the prophets, of Jesus, and of his apostles, refusing to hear the gospel as proclaimed by Heaven’s great apostle, ridiculing our notions, as they call them, and yet talking so loudly and constantly, and apparently so sympathetically, about the blood of Jesus. Is this not equivalent to saying “Lord, Lord,” and yet opposing his word?
I am pleased, yea, delighted, to see from the Herald some signs of encouragement. May they increase in number and magnitude; and may 1853 be a memorable year for the progress of the glorious gospel, that the hearts of the oppressed and depressed children of the Most High may rejoice in the anticipation of soon realising that “glory, honour, and immortality,” which Jesus has promised to the faithful that suffer with him.
Hoping that before very long we may have the pleasure of hearing from you in person, I remain, very sincerely,
Yours in the Blessed Hope,
PETER TRIBLE.
Dunnsville, Essex, Va., February 15, 1853.
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POLITICAL RELIGIONISTS—BEING SAVED AS BY FIRE.
We congratulate brethren Fisher and Trible, and all like them, who have veneration, firmness, and conscientiousness, sufficiently active, to obey the truth of God rather than its void-making traditions, the dogmas and commandments of men. Until comparatively recently they were both members “in good standing” of the Campbellite synagogue called “the Rappahannock”—the one a preacher, and the other a private brother, of the sect. The dissolution of their confraternity is referable to “the gospel of the kingdom;” Mr. Trible came to perceive, that, as there is but one gospel of God, called the gospel of the kingdom, which kingdom is to be established in the land promised to Abraham; and seeing that both it, and its possession by the resurrected saints “under the whole heaven,” were denied and scoffed at by the Campbellites and their clergy; —that one gospel was neither believed, nor preached among them. Believing it, he therefore began to testify in its behalf. But, as its advocacy was primarily associated with my name, which is no strong tower of orthodoxy, he was absurdly, or rather wickedly, charged with “Thomasism;” although he said none other things than what their own eyes could see written in the scriptures of the prophets and apostles, if they would have opened them to see. But “their heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed,” lest they should be converted, and become unpopular. He was at length silenced by authority, such as it is. This gave him time for personal examination, which resulted in the conviction, that being immersed into baptistism, christ-ian-ism, or Campbellism, is not obeying the gospel of the kingdom; because the faith professed by the subjects of those denominational immersions, was either non-comprehensive of that gospel from sheer ignorance of it, or positively opposed to it; and consequently the immersion submitted to was not a faithful obedience to the faith. Being honest in his conviction, and self-condemned, he sought justification by faith of the true gospel in the name of Jesus, to which name he was united by immersion, as a believer in the kingdom’s gospel can alone be.
Bro. Trible has effected the circulation of some thirty Elpis Israels in Essex County, Virginia. If they have fallen into the hands of some honest and good hearts, they cannot fail of producing a beneficial result to some of its citizens sooner or later. Bro. Fisher is more or less indebted to it for the liberty he now enjoys. When in those parts we heard an anecdote concerning him, and his other Campbellite brethren, singularly characteristic of their intelligence and doings. It runs somehow thus: One Sunday morning in synagogue assembled, Mr. Fisher (who, by-the-by, is a poor man, and therefore without consideration among them) requested some brother would read to the assembly the last chapter of the Acts. Some one rose and read it. Mr. Fisher then requested that some one would be kind enough to show the meaning of what Paul is reported to have said in the thirtieth verse—“For the Hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” This fell among the leaders like a bomb from Magruder’s battery. Not being present, we cannot be graphical. Politicians, lawyers, and doctors, were particularly apprehensive. “The hope of a christian was quite enough for them, without the hope of Israel!” “Mr. Fisher had better ask Dr. Thomas:” others of them advised that “he should go home, and consult Elpis Israel!” The last suggestion seemed the most feasible; and as no satisfaction could be obtained from “the elders,” et cetera, he went home, and consorted with them no more.
But what more decent or spiritual can be expected from such religionists. If theirs be a fair type of christian doctrine, then, indeed, the hope of a christian has nothing to do with Israel’s Hope. It is clear, that Paul was not in chains for their hope, themselves being judges. No, but he was bound with a chain for the hope of every christian, both Jew and Gentile, who believed the gospel he preached. The political lawyers and doctors who browbeated Mr. Fisher from their synagogue, are too ignorant of the scriptures to know, that when a believer of Paul’s gospel, which they reject, becomes obedient to the faith, he, though a Gentile born, becomes a citizen of the Commonwealth of Israel, and an heir of all the good things promised to that favoured nation, which constitute its hope. Israel’s hope is the christian’s hope, and styled by the apostle “the hope of the gospel, whereof he was made a minister.” They believe it not, being the captive perverts of the world, the flesh, and its hurtful lusts. Men who would clamour down one of their poor brethren for asking an explanation of the word of truth, may paint, whitewash, carpet, and transform their synagogue, to suit the eye of wealth and fashion; but they have yet to learn, that it is not the breadth of men’s phylacteries, nor the comeliness of the exterior sepulchre, that commends professors and their works to God.
The text referred to in Corinthians reads, “If any man’s work be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” The politicals, who worship the people for what they can make by them, know nothing of salvation so as by fire. This is known experimentally only to those who confess and teach the truth. Of these it will be said after their resurrection, “These are they that came out of great tribulation. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.” Many of them will have been, in the days of their flesh and blood, previously often told by the apostles, that it was “through much tribulation they must enter the kingdom of God.” This tribulation was “a fiery trial” which was to try them, that this, “the trial of their faith, being much more precious than of gold which perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
From this manner of writing it will be seen, that the “fire” connected with salvation is the fire of that tribulation inflicted upon the believer by the adversaries of the faith. The politicals and their satellites have been these adversaries in all ages; and generally professors of religion too. They are very diligent in kindling and fanning the fire, but they take good care that “the heat” shall not harm them, nor “the sun” either. They used to cast believers into prison, —starve, torture, and kill them there; but their claws have been considerably pared down in non-papal countries; and now they can only lock their door against them, brow-beat and silence them by authority, scoff at the truth, and assassinate the good name of its defenders.
But in the text the apostle is speaking of teachers and their works. He had been speaking figuratively of himself and Apollos, two great teachers of the gospel, though really of others who were engaged building on the foundation he had laid, which is that “Jesus is the Christ,” whom God raised up to sit on David’s throne—Acts 2: 30, 32. He compares those built upon this foundation to “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble.” These materials had all to pass through “a fiery trial” for the proof of their faith. If the persecutions on account of the word were too hot for some of them, those that apostatised were thus proved to be “wood, hay, and stubble,” consumed; but if they bravely withstood the adversary, and overcame him by their faith, they were as gold, silver, and precious stones, purified from dross. Now, if a teacher had built a hundred converts upon Paul’s foundation, and seventy-five of them had denied the faith to save their worthless lives and fortunes, he would “suffer loss.” When the Lord shall appear, and he should render an account of his stewardship, he would only receive reward for the abiding twenty-five; and no consideration at all for the “washed hogs who had returned to their wallowing in the mire.” Still this loss of seventy-five percent would not result in his own perdition. He would himself be saved, provided he was on the foundation, and with the twenty-five had kept the faith, however fiery the times had been. This is being saved so as by fire—entering the kingdom of God through much tribulation.
In conclusion I may add, that if saints are to enter the kingdom of God through much tribulation, it is clear that they are not already in it. The words were spoken to disciples, not to sinners. Sinners may enter the baptismal grave without any persecution; but after that, tribulation of some sort awaits them if they “contend earnestly for the faith,” and respond to the claims the gospel of their salvation has upon their self-denial. None are received into the kingdom who are not first proved. The Lord Jesus himself, though proved and accepted, is not yet in the kingdom. He has gone to receive it, and then to return to set it up; for at present it has no existence save in the promises of the gospel. It is therefore all nonsense to talk about its being set up on the Day of Pentecost. They who affirm that it was, surely do not know what a kingdom is; much less do they comprehend the nature of the kingdom of God.
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A VOICE FROM THE WEST.
Beloved Brother: —Your removal to New York city is the best move you have made. The brethren here highly approve of the change. There is no doubt it will be the means of extending your sphere of usefulness. New York is a better point from which to issue your publications, and presents better facilities for the proclamation of the truth, than your former place of abode. I sincerely hope you may be as Paul was, in the cities of Corinth and Ephesus, a bold teacher of the word of God, a cogent reasoner, and a powerful disputant, so that many living in and visiting our metropolis may hear the “word of the Lord,” and thus be persuaded concerning the things of the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ. At the present day, the sower of the good seed of the kingdom requires a large field to operate upon; for the soil has been so long trodden under the feet of the adversary, that there is but little chance for the seed to fall into good ground. Oh! If the seed could but obtain an entrance into a prepared or cultivated soil, how it would grow, and bring forth fruit! But alas! the times of the Gentiles are almost at an end. The long-suffering and forbearance of God are nearly exhausted. The nations have given heed to the seducer and traducer, “whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming”—and thus deceiving themselves, they have no love for the truth that they may be saved. Truly what Isaiah, and Jesus, and Paul said of the Jews in their day, is applicable to the Gentiles of this generation—“Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive; for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them”—Acts 28: 26-27. Yet, notwithstanding this great defection, there are a few—a small remnant—who will gladly receive the word into good and honest hearts. For the sake of these few, then, let the truth be disseminated far and wide. Let those who can, proclaim the good news by the living voice; and let those who cannot, but yet have the means, employ the hundred-tongued press. Here is a powerful means the brethren of this age can employ, which did not exist in the earlier ages of Christianity; and a means, too, which ought to be improved. This matter, I fear, is not viewed properly by all our friends. Are not the children of this age wiser in this respect than the children of light? They use the press, and that liberally, too, for the accomplishment of their worldly schemes, and success generally rewards their efforts. They perceive that “knowledge is power,” therefore they spread abroad the light they wish to communicate. And ought not those who are possessed of the “true light” to do likewise? Responsibility and accountability are incurred, and will have to be given in proportion to the value of the talents conferred. We have better facilities now at this day than our forefathers had, for the rapid and extensive diffusion of knowledge, —and thus “knowledge may be increased.” Then let those who have obtained the “key of knowledge” willingly impart to others, that they also may obtain a “knowledge of the true God, and of Jesus, the Christ, his apostle,” in order to eternal life. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” yet how few have faith, who both hear and read the Bible! It is because the “key of knowledge” has been lost, and consequently the scriptures of the prophets, which reveal “the substance of the things hoped for,” have become a “sealed book,” which neither the learned not the unlearned can read so as to understand.
I am glad that the “Herald” is likely to be better sustained by the brethren and others. I hope its day of prosperity has commenced, and that its course will be onward, until it shall in reality announce that the Son of man has come in his kingdom with power and great glory. I think the readers of the “Herald,” and especially those who have been led from “darkness” to “light” through its instrumentality, are bound to sustain it. If gratitude for benefits received will not do it, perhaps the more selfish motive of realising further good by perusing its valuable pages, will cause them to do so. To suffer such a publication to languish and die, would indeed be a reproach to those who ought to be its supporters. No! it cannot be. There are some, though few in number, who love the truth better than dollars and cents; —who are willing to sacrifice present advantage for future good. May their number be greatly increased!
I perceive by a St. Louis paper that the “Rev. Alexander Campbell” has been lecturing in that city, on behalf of the Christian Church in St. Louis. He delivered four lectures on the “Patriarchal, Jewish, Christian, and Protestant Institutions”—admission $1.00 the course; 50 cents single. He has been on a lecturing and collecting tour in Missouri. “He visits Missouri for the purpose of raising funds to endow a professorship in Bethany College, and thus far has met with great success;” thus says the Liberty Tribune. “How has the mighty fallen, and the fine gold become dim!” It would be no hard task to compile a work from the writings of “this able and distinguished divine,” entitled “Campbell against himself.”
Wishing you prosperity in your new location, and that your means of usefulness may be greatly increased, I subscribe myself
Yours, in the “One Hope,”
BENJAMIN WILSON.
Geneva, Kane, Illinois;
January, 1853.
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THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OBEYED.
Dear Brother Thomas: —Enclosed you will find two dollars being the amount of subscription for the Herald for the current year. Hitherto I have received your periodical through brother George L. Scott of Paris Ca. From him also I received Elpis Israel. Need I inform you that I have perused these works with profound and absorbing interest. They have placed the Oracles of God before my mind in a new and imposing aspect—which has led to a revolution in views, belief, position, sentiment, and feeling. Though born and bred in the old Calvinistic “Kirk of Scotland,” immersed into the mysteries of the “strictest sect” I mean the Scotch Baptists, and thoroughly initiated into the sublimities of Campbellism—I lately came down from my high horse, confessed my ignorance of the “things of the kingdom,” searched with anxiety, whether what you have affirmed be the TRUTH; was convinced; and lately in a dark and stormy night in November, in company with my beloved brother G. L. Scott, both of us having made the “great and good confession” of our belief, confidence, and hope in Israel’s kingdom, and the glorious and ever blessed Messiah, we descended towards the deep flowing stream and there respectively immersed each other, by the authority of the great Teacher, into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and thus having legitimately “put on Christ” we became the adopted seed of good old Abraham, and heirs to the covenants of promise. And here we are resolved, against all opposition (for in one sense we stand alone in Canada) to “show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light,” and to expound, so far as our humble abilities enable us, with the assistance of our good friend “Elpis,” the “things of the kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ” to the honest minded and the morally valiant in Canada. Isolately, we have commenced the work and we don’t despair of success.
But I have not yet introduced myself to you as an old, but partial acquaintance. Do you remember on the evening of the soiree in the Waterloo Rooms in Edinburgh, when you were called upon to acknowledge the “good graces” of your friends in the modern Athens, two “chiels taking notes” on your right hand on the platform? Well, I happened to be one of the pair. But I looked upon you then as a Transatlantic curiosity, possessing an indomitable, but benevolent looking, cranium—with its dark, but graceful, barbaric consequence. That was the only occasion I ever saw you; I trust in God it won’t be the last.
For many reasons, I am right glad to learn you have made New York your head quarters. In your new and influential position may our gracious Father strengthen you in body and in mind for the arduous and highly responsible duties you are called upon to perform. The “signs of the times” are corroborating with sternful accuracy the “sure word of prophecy.” An ominous stillness pervades the European masses. But the under currents of anxious thoughts are concentrating with fearful rapidity. At no distant date, I presume they will burst forward with unquenchable action. I suppose however, nothing will be done until the farce of Pio Nono’s consecration of the new-fledged French Empire be over. I suppose you have remarked the circumstance, or conditions rather, of the acknowledgments of the new Emperor by the “great powers,” that he will reign “Napoleon III by the grace of God and the will of the French people,” not as an hereditary sovereign, but after all, simply as the imperial representative and “cat’s paw” of the “Frog power”—the professedly repudiated democracy. But I must close. Pardon my scrall.
Yours in the hope of the Glorious Everlasting Kingdom,
WALTER M. WILSON.
Toronto, Canada West, January 4, 1853.
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THE SAME GOSPEL PREACHED.
Dear Brother Thomas: —The January Number of the Herald has come to hand, for which accept of my best thanks. Upon reflection I find the two dollars I last enclosed won’t be sufficient for postage and altogether. Hence I enclose an additional dollar. Oh that I had plenty of dollars at my disposal, I would “share and share alike” with you, to carry forward the knowledge of the Glorious Kingdom to many poor honest-minded souls, who are groping in the miserable darkness of modern isms. Believe me when I get my debts paid up, and that will be soon, (for I want all claims satisfied before the King comes) I will do—I won’t say what I will do. But I argue this way. There can be no such an anomaly as a capitalist and money usurer amongst the expectants of the kingdom. Therefore ye rich believers open your hearts, and strengthen our beloved brother Thomas in a bold and independent proclamation, and exposition, of the “things of the Kingdom.”
The great cause goes ahead in Toronto; and the “sure word of prophecy” is beginning to create great sensation amid the old sectarian foggies. But the poor, down-trodden, honest-minded men and women, rejoice in this gospel. I am sanguine of a happy result. I will report progress. Dear Brother, let old Carey’s motto be ours, “Do great things, and expect great things.” With the Lord and his Truth on our side who’s afraid?
Yours in the Glorious Hope,
W. M. WILSON.
Toronto, Canada West, January 23, 1853.
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Bro. G. L. Scott of Paris, C. W., writes, “The Gospel of the Kingdom is being preached with success by Bro. Walter Wilson in the “Disciples’ Church” at Toronto under the charge of Mr. Beaty; he writes, “I have been doing work. There are not a few honest-minded people who listen to me. They have got hold of the truth. Elpis Israel is abroad. Seed is sown, and fruit will appear. This is indeed the Gospel—there is no uncertainty, or humbug, about it. Instant submission or opposition.” Trusting that you will be honoured to maintain the warfare until the Bridegroom comes, I remain yours in the Gospel hope—G. L. S. —
This news is encouraging. EDITOR.
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