1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

page 2Topeka, Kansas, Nov. 2, 1885.DEAR BRO. RUSSELL: Some of my letters and remarks maysound as though I was discouraged, but I assure you that I am notdiscouraged. I expect to work on, and not to sit down at ease northink the victory won till I have obtained my crown. I believe that ifmy work and efforts are to make known God's truth to his honor,glory and praise, I shall be blessed at least, if not others, if I amfaithful. I greatly rejoice in the hope that soon with Jesus and thosewho shall be heirs with him to the kingdom, I shall not only seemany convinced of the truth in its purity, but that we will behold allsystems of oppression and error crumble and fall through its mightypower. For this joy set before us we endure the cross and despisethe shame. Yours in this blessed hope,Cairo, Mich., Nov. 3, 1885.DEAR BRO. RUSSELL: I have not been able to do much in theMaster's service. I just got a number of samples of Z.W.T. whendiphtheria became epidemic in this place, and two of my childrenwere taken sick, but they have both recovered. One family here lostthree children, another two, and some one by the scourge. We werequarantined for a while. Since I am allowed out I have gathered upsome of the samples. I traveled all one day in the country, where Ihad twenty samples out, and only took one subscription; and on myway home at night, weary with my day's walk, and trying to take akind of an inventory of the visible fruit of the day's labor, theadversary tried to discourage me. Well I soliloquised like this: If Iwere working for dollars and cents I should have a poor showingfor the day's work, but thank God I was not looking at the thingsthat are seen, neither was I seeking to lay up treasures in a bag withholes in it. The Lord blest me with these words--Be not weary inwell-doing, for in due season we shall reap--upon this condition--"that we faint not." Oh, I am so glad that we have such a goodPaymaster and a Captain who is able to lead us on to certainvictory. I am glad that God reveals himself to me as an AlmightyGod, and one whose mercies are over all his works, and that thegroaning and travailing time of creation is soon to be followed by atime of rejoicing. I find that the spiritual pulse beats very feeblyamong the people. I find people of the world and professors ingeneral the same--interested more in everything else than they arein the subject of religion. The great mass will not read anything onthe subject, but there is now and then one who has a spiritualappetite, and is strengthened by the truth. I am hoping soon to getout and hold some meetings, and by the grace of God to stir up theminds of the people, so that they will be inclined to search and seewhether these things are so. On the whole I am greatly encouragedin regard to the work here. Praying that God may strengthen us