crificed every friend for this principle however trying. That the Lord may carry me safely through is my prayer, Yours in Christian Love, ABIGAIL HOUSE DHAR BRETHREN; Lenox, Ashtabula Co. Ohio, April, 1847. While reading the Memoirs of Elder David Marks, page 404, I noticed in his discription of Woodstock in the town of Oxfork, Brock District, he makes mention of a get called Christians, and thus he says: "Among their distinguishing peculiarities is the order of their meetings. When they assemble for worship they all sit together and do not allow those they consider impenitent to mingle with them. On such Occasions they have no one selected to preach to them but any ona who chooses may speak, or pray, or engage in any act of worship to which his views of duty may lead him. They have separato meetings in which they preach to the world, but these they do not call meetings of worship." Pardon a stranger for taking the liberty to those whom I truss Love and serve our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, while many profess to love the holy cause of God, make it extinct by joining th the wicked world in their most solemn exercises: which God has commanded us to separate from. I have often trembled at the idea of the church and world joining hand in hand when their motives and views are so entirely different. It is rising of thirty years since I embraced the religion of our Lord and Sa viour Jesus Christ, and from that time, I have been led to believe that the natural heart is opposed to all that is good, nei ther can its possessor worship God in an acceptable manner, and for this reason I have been obliged to separate from all churche and stand alone and bear my own responsibility as I understand the scriptures; and meet the frowns of many who profess Christ; but I have vowed to the Lord and I cannot go back, come what may, I must follow the Apostles doctrine, although alone, Some years since there was such a people in the city of New York. I would to God there was such a people in this region of country! I am sure I should be delighted with such a sight; and although the waters of Lake Erie roll between us, yet my heart is made to rejoice at the intelligence before described. Will you have the goodness to inform me more fully of your sentiments of doctrine, and especially in regard to the new birth or change of heart, and likewise of ordinances. Such as Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and also the support of the ministry, and their character-for the church has most grossly departed from her primitive state of holiness-in love and good works, thinking it of little consequence whether we obey the rules of the Gospel or not-having forgotten that we were purged from dead works-and should not live to the flesh, for they that live after the flesh shall die. It is the willing and obedient which eat the good of the land:-but they that refuse and rebel shall be destroyed, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. I have thought much of you for some time past, and have wished it was in my power to make you a visit. As I am a stranger to any one in your country it will be quite uncertain whether this communication will reach you, if it should, please have the goodness to return an answer, and you will greatly oblige your friend, although a stranger, ABIGAIL HOUSE. P. S.-Can you give any information in regard to the colored people in your country, that have escaped from bondage? I understand there is a colony of them not far distant. Be so kind as to inform me of their condition: we would follow them with our good wishes, and such things as they need to make them comfortable, as we are preparing some clothing for them, Yours, A. H. O! ye shepherds, look about you, "THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN." "The rights of women, what are they? The right to watch while others sleep, And crown their champions with success." Have the courage to obey your Maker at the risk of being ridiculed by man. Kind words do not cost much. What is the difference between man's own righteousness and his own light in religion? They are strictly the same thing. Lenox, DEAR BROTHER: Some years have elapsed since we have me in social meetings or in the prayer circle; those were happy hours; those indeed were golden moments, long to be remembe ad; but dark clouds have changed the religious atmosphere, and we must expect many more for we live in a world of change Our very dispositions change: some times for the better it is hop ed, but our natures are the same fountain of uncleanness. Bb true our affections undergo a change when they are placed a heavenly and divine things. Then the fruit thereof is holiness, and by and by we shall be changed from grace to glory. Tell me brother W., is the spark yet alive in your bosom? or are you in the dark? I have reason to hope better things of you. In the first place God's promises are sure, whom he loves he loves t the end. A mother may forget her offspring, but God will not forget those he has purchased at so dear a rate. And again: "No one shall be able to pluck them out of my Father's hand;" for their names are written in the Lambs book of eternal life. In the second place we think we have seen the evidence o such a hope. We may be so inconstanced that our faith will not be clear, temptations may surround us, and becloud our Sun, 5 that its warming influences may not be so clearly felt, and we may be left to doubt our own condition, not on Christ's part hut on our own. But the Apostle tells us to add to our faith. virtue, etc-and then says if these things which he hath me tioned, be in us, and abound, they make us so that we are neither harren nor unfruitful:-and if we do these things we shall never fall: that is, never fall into sin, but walk in the light that w Cumble not. What is christianity but that which Christ w while on earth. He is a king, and we are his subjects-his king dom is not of this world like himself; neither should his children partake largely of the vanities thereof. All the virtues of the heavenly life are the virtues of humility. I desire with all ho mility to be taught and instructed in the ways of holiness. On the other hand,-Is not the light departed from us, and driven us into the wilderness? If I never more see you may we be found not in our own righteousness, but in the righteous ness of Christ not having spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing, And believe me as ever, your friend in the truth, ABIGAIL HOUSE. Lenox, Ashtabula, Ohio, etc. MY DEAR FRIEND: I received yours of the 5th of May, saying your health was as good as usual, and that your cares were increased in consequenc of building a house, which will add very much to your toil and labar, and you know it requires great effort to keep the body healthy as well as the soul, but when our physical powers are put on the stretch, then our mental faculties are absorbed too much; because we are so constituted that matter and mind have an influence over each other. We are generally too anxious to make preparation for the flesh, and neglect the more weightier matters, such as judgment and the love of God; these things ought we to do, even if we leave the others undone. We very much desire to have houses to dwell in, and forget that we have, or can have, a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens, that is worth running a race for:-but in a race one obtaineth a prize: and the Apostle tells us, "So run that ye may obtain." We cannot accomplish much good without making exertions and when we are exhorted to make our calling and election sure, it means to double opr alligence; to exert ourselves, to strive, and let no time be lost until the crown is secured that fadeth not away. What a blessing that we have such a price put into our hands to get wisdom. For the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, in getting this treasure there is no danger, we run no Hak (t is sure; it is certain, not so with earthly substance for t takes to itself wings and flies away. Let me hear from you again, and learn 'your prosperity. When you are prospered do not be lifted up for that is a crime. I trust ere this time you have learned the wiles of Satan! |