I gave not up my intention of meeting with you to day until the latest moment, but circumstances have now decided the case and I must deny myself this great pleasure.

Where two or three are gathered togetherMatt 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. the promise of the Father's support and presence should comfort them.

But alone with Him we have the promise also. Brother CrawfordEditorial Note: James Crawford?'s letterEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. I will answer in this note. Its tone was tender and its suggestions wise I thank him for it I know the world is filled with error but the command of our leader and MasterEditorial Note: Jesus Christ is; "go ye into all the world preach the gospelMark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. heal the sickMatt 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. . I have been stationary in Lynn for the past nine years; and for the last two I have constantly felt God was demanding of me to take up the crossMatt 16:24 ¶Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. of breaking up my pleasant Home and going afar to the lost sheep of the house of IsraelMatt 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matt 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. . You cannot tell how hard this step appears, and yet I am willing to give up all for ChristLuke 14:25 ¶And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Luke 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Luke 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Luke 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:34 ¶Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? Luke 14:35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. , I hope. The way looks dark and thornyEditorial Note: This is probably a reference to an anonymous hymn titled “Dark and Thorny is the Desert.” Its first verse reads: Dark and thorny is the desert, / Through which pilgrims make their way; / But beyond this vale of sorrows / Lie the fields of endless day. / Fiends, loud howling through the desert, / Make them tremble as they go; / And the fiery darts of Satan / Often bring their courage low., but I should have no cross to bearMatt 16:24 ¶Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. if it seemed otherwise, therefore I say, "not my will but Thine be done"Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

My earnest desire and prayer to God is, that you who remain as the sheep of His pasturePs 95:7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To-day if ye will hear his voice, Ps 100:3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Ezek 34:31 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God. clinging to the tender fold of your first home, where first you heard His voice calling you up higher, will be faithful, watchful and vigilant, while we go forth from the dear fold to meet the storm and tempest as lambs among wolvesLuke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Matt 10:16 ¶Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. , but trusting fully and meekly in Him who tempers the winds to the shorn lambEditorial Note: Allusion to a common proverb: “God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.”.